The topic of this thesis is catalytic conversion of non-food, abundant, and renewable biomass such as cellulose and chitin to chemicals. In biorefinery, chemical transformation of polymers to valuable compounds has attracted worldwide interest for building sustainable societies. First, the current situation of this hot research area has been summarized well in the general introduction of the thesis, which helps readers to become familiar with this topic. Next, the author explains high-yielding production of glucose from cellulose by using an alkali-activated carbon as a catalyst, resulting in a yield of glucose as high as 88%, which is one of the highest yields ever reported. The characterization of carbon materials has indicated that weak acid sites on the catalyst promote the reaction, which is markedly different from reported catalytic systems that require strong acids. In addition, the first catalytic transformation of chitin with retention of N-acetyl groups has been developed. The combination of mechanocatalytic hydrolysis and thermal solvolysis enables the production of N-acetylated monomers in good yields of up to 70%. The catalytic systems demonstrated in this thesis are unique in the fields of both chemistry and chemical engineering, and their high efficiencies can contribute to green and sustainable chemistry in the future. Meanwhile, mechanistic studies based on characterization, thermodynamics, kinetics, and model reactions have also been performed to reveal the roles of catalysts during the reactions. The results will be helpful for readers to design and develop new catalysts and reaction systems.

Compiled by a well-known expert in the field, Liquid Biofuels provides a profound knowledge to researchers about biofuel technologies, selection of raw materials, conversion of various biomass to biofuel pathways, selection of suitable methods of conversion, design of equipment, selection of operating parameters, determination of chemical kinetics, reaction mechanism, preparation of bio-catalyst: its application in bio-fuel industry and characterization techniques, use of nanotechnology in the production of biofuels from the root level to its application and many other exclusive topics for conducting research in this area. Written with the objective of offering both theoretical concepts and practical applications of those concepts, Liquid Biofuels can be both a first-time learning experience for the student facing these issues in a classroom and a valuable reference work for the veteran engineer or scientist. The description of the detailed characterization methodologies along with the precautions required during analysis are extremely important, as are the detailed description about the ultrasound assisted biodiesel production techniques, aviation biofuels and its characterization techniques, advance in algal biofuel techniques, pre-treatment of biomass for biofuel production, preparation and characterization of bio-catalyst, and various methods of optimization. The book offers a comparative study between the various liquid biofuels obtained from different methods of production and its engine performance and emission analysis so that one can get the utmost idea to find the better biofuel as an alternative fuel. Since the book covers almost all the field of liquid biofuel production techniques, it will provide advanced knowledge to the researcher for practical applications across the energy sector. A valuable reference for engineers, scientists, chemists, and students, this volume is applicable to many different fields, across many different industries, at all levels. It is a must-have for any library.

The Role of Catalysis for the Sustainable Production of Bio-fuels and Bio-chemicals describes the importance of catalysis for the sustainable production of biofuels and biochemicals, focused primarily on the state-of-the-art catalysts and catalytic processes expected to play a decisive role in the "green" production of fuels and chemicals from biomass. In addition, the book includes general elements regarding the entire chain of biomass production, conversion, environment, economy, and life-cycle assessment. Very few books are available on catalysis in production schemes using biomass or its primary conversion products, such as bio-oil and lignin. This book fills that gap with detailed discussions of: - Catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass - Hybrid biogasoline by co-processing in FCC units - Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to biofuels (biomass-to-liquid process) - Steam reforming of bio-oils to hydrogen With energy prices rapidly rising, environmental concerns growing, and regulatory apparatus evolving, this book is a resource with tutorial, research, and technological value for chemists, chemical engineers, policymakers, and students. - Includes catalytic reaction mechanism schemes and gives a clear understanding of catalytic processes - Includes flow diagrams of bench-, pilot- and industrial-scale catalytic processing units and demonstrates the various process technologies involved, enabling easy selection of the best process - Incorporates many tables, enabling easy comparison of data based on a critical review of the available literature

A comprehensive reference to the use of innovative catalysts and processes to turn biomass into value-added chemicals Chemical Catalysts for Biomass Upgrading offers detailed descriptions of catalysts and catalytic processes employed in the synthesis of chemicals and fuels from the most abundant and important biomass types. The contributors?noted experts on the topic?focus on the application of catalysts to the pyrolysis of whole biomass and to the upgrading of bio-oils. The authors discuss catalytic approaches to the processing of biomass-derived oxygenates, as exemplified by sugars, via reactions such as reforming, hydrogenation, oxidation, and condensation reactions. Additionally, the book provides an overview of catalysts for lignin valorization via oxidative and reductive methods and considers the conversion of fats and oils to fuels and terminal olefins by means of esterification/transesterification, hydrodeoxygenation, and decarboxylation/decarbonylation processes. The authors also provide an overview of conversion processes based on terpenes and chitin, two emerging feedstocks with a rich chemistry, and summarize some of the emerging trends in the field. This important book: -Provides a comprehensive review of innovative catalysts, catalytic processes, and catalyst design -Offers a guide to one of the most promising ways to find useful alternatives for fossil fuel resources -Includes information on the most abundant and important types of biomass feedstocks -Examines fields such as catalytic cracking, pyrolysis, depolymerization, and many more Written for catalytic chemists, process engineers, environmental chemists, bioengineers, organic chemists, and polymer chemists, Chemical Catalysts for Biomass Upgrading presents deep insights on the most important aspects of biomass upgrading and their various types.

Written for a wide variety of biotechnologists, this book provides a major review of the state-of-the-art in bioethanol production technologies, enzymatic biomass conversion, and biodiesel. It also provides a detailed explanation of a breakthrough in photosynthetic water splitting which could result in a doubling of the efficiency of solar energy conversion by green plants. The book covers production of lactic acid, succinic acid, 1,3-propanediol, 2,3-butanediol, and polyhydroxybutyrate and xylitol. It also includes a chapter on synthesis-gas fermentation.

This book provides an introduction to the basic science and technologies for the conversion of biomass (terrestrial and aquatic) into chemicals and fuels, as well as an overview of innovations in the field. The entire value chain for converting raw materials into platform molecules and their transformation into final products are presented in detail. Both cellulosic and oleaginous biomass are considered. The book contains contributions by both academic scientists and industrial technologists so that each topic combines state-of-the-art scientific knowledge with innovative technologies relevant to chemical industries. Selected topics include: Refinery of the future: feedstock, processes, products The terrestrial and aquatic biomass production and properties Chemical technologies and biotechnologies for the conversion of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignine, algae, residual biomass Thermal, catalytic and enzymatic conversion of biomass Production of chemicals, polymeric materials, fuels (biogas, biodiesel, bioethanol, biohydrogen) Policy aspects of biomass product chains LCA applied to the energetic, economic and environmental evaluation of the production of fuels from biomass: ethanol, biooil and biodiesel, biogas, biohydrogen

Zeolites and Zeolite-like Materials offers a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the important areas of zeolite synthesis, characterization, and applications. Its chapters are written in an educational, easy-to-understand format for a generation of young zeolite chemists, especially those who are just starting research on the topic and need a reference that not only reflects the current state of zeolite research, but also identifies gaps and opportunities. The book demonstrates various applications of zeolites in heterogeneous catalysis and biomass conversion and identifies the endless possibilities that exist for this class of materials, their structures, functions, and future applications. In addition, it demonstrates that zeolite-like materials should be regarded as a living body developing towards new modern applications, thereby responding to the needs of modern technology challenges, including biomass conversion, medicine, laser techniques, and nanomaterial design, etc. The book will be of interest not only to zeolite-focused researchers, but also to a broad scientific and non-scientific audience. - Provides a comprehensive review of the literature pertaining to zeolites and zeolite-like materials since 2000 - Covers the chemistry of novel zeolite-like materials such as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), hierarchical zeolite materials, new mesoporous and composite zeolite-like micro/mesoporous materials - Presents essential information of the new zeolite-like structures, with a balanced coverage of the most important areas of the zeolite research (synthesis, characterization, adsorption, catalysis, new applications of zeolites and zeolite-like materials) - Contains chapters prepared by known specialists who are members of the International Zeolite Association