A Comparative Study of Biofuel and Fossil Fuel: A Case Study of Palm Oil and Crude Oil

The cost benefit analysis and environmental pollution effects of biofuel (palm oil) and fossil fuel (crude oil) was studied. The study methodology included extensive literature review on relevant publications and laboratory analysis. Important parameters required for emission production and combustion such as CO, CH4, NOx, PM10, SOx and CO2 were analyzed. The combined total of emission production and combustion results indicated that biofuel and fossil fuel have 3.92 and 6.40 of CO; 0.98 and 1.05 of CH4; 25.23 and 27.54 of NOx, 0.00 and 0.67 of SOx, and 657 and 3564 of CO2 respectively. Other parameters considered in this study include fuel efficiency, environmental performance, cost benefits analysis and sustainability. From environmental performance comparison, the study indicated that 100% biofuel will cause reduction in greenhouse gases and other polluting emissions. It also indicated that use of palm oil as biofuel may have less impact on human health. The research concludes that raw materials for biofuel production can be readily cultivated in Nigeria, particularly in the South-East and South-South and its usage will compliment the use of fossil energy and greatly reduced environmental impact of fossil fuel.