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Biofuels
Biofuels are based on the energy of organic matter that is either currently alive or has only died recently. The most-well known biofuel is probably ethanol, which is an alcohol compound produced from corn, sugar or soy. Others include biodiesel, which is a diesel substitute made from plant and animal fats, including specially-bred algae. The goal of biofuels is to produce energy-dense fuels that will burn cleaner than traditional fossil fuels. Biofuels are often designed for use in cars or trucks.
Gel Fuels
Gel fuels are composed of alcohol compounds in jellied form. They burn when lit, with fuel characteristics like heat, appearance, and burn time varying with the brand. Some gel fuels contain additives like eucalyptus, which enables them to them deter insects if used outdoors. Gel fuels can come in prepackaged cans or pourable versions, so that the user can simply refill commonly-used gel fuel mechanisms like imitation fireplaces, rather than rely on the canister. Brands like Sterno are useful for keeping food warm in chafing dishes, and specially-designed small ovens can run entirely on gel fuel.
The Ethanol Connection
Ethanol is a viable gel fuel, as well as a biofuel. Although the two roles of these fuels are different, ethanol is versatile enough to function as either one. Ethanol as a gel fuel or as a biofuel will burn without producing as much carbon dioxide as fossil fuels, and the sources of ethanol are renewable. However, there are concerns about the efficiency of the production of ethanol with respect to its emissions savings, because the process of refining corn or other crops into ethanol is, itself, emissions-intensive.
Gels and Biofuels
It may be possible to take the idea of clean-burning and renewable biofuels, and apply it to gel fuels. However, aside from ethanol, there is currently little overlap between gel fuels and biofuels. Gel fuels have different roles from biofuels, in that gel fuels are designed for home or food service use and biofuels are mostly intended for vehicular use. The environmental impact of burning gel fuels depends on the fuel itself, just like with fossil fuels and biofuels, although ethanol does burn cleaner than fossil fuels.