ABSTRACT
The rising demand for clean energy sources to replace petroleum has led to substantial expansion of agro-energy (FAO 2008) to increase production of fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel from agricultural products. These fuels can be obtained from different raw materials. The main ones in the case of ethanol are sugar cane and corn, while for biodiesel the main sources include soybeans, canola (rapeseed), dendê palm nuts and castor beans, among others. In Brazil, ethanol is made from sugar cane, which can also be used to produce sugar and other byproducts, as well as for cogeneration of energy.
