The depletion of fossil resources and an ever-growing human population create an increasing demand for the development of sustainable processes for the utilization of renewable resources. As autotrophic microorganisms offer numerous metabolic pathways for the fixation of carbon dioxide and the metabolic utilization of light, electricity and inorganic energy donors, they are expected to play a pivotal role in an emerging carbon neutral society. This text-book presents the metabolic principles of autotrophy and current efforts for their utilization in biotechnology, including photoautotrophic, chemolithoautotrophic and electroautotrophic organisms. It outlines how modern molecular biology and process engineering create technologies that allow to use industrial off-gases and inorganic energy for the synthesis of bio-based plastics, materials and other chemical products. The text-book is ideally suited for students in advanced graduate and master courses and offers a reference for PhD students, engineers, chemists, biologists and all with an interests in biotechnology and renewable resources.

This updated edition presents topical knowledge and technologies for the thermal, chemo- and enzymatic-catalytic conversion of biomass into chemicals, materials and fuels. International experts from academia and industry cover the complete value chain from raw materials into final products. A new focus discusses feedstock, processes and products in potential concepts of future biorefining.

This book critically discusses different aspects of algal production systems and several of the drawbacks related to microalgal biomass production, namely, low biomass yield, and energy-consuming harvesting, dewatering, drying and extraction processes. These provide a background to the state-of-the-art technologies for algal cultivation, CO2 sequestration, and large-scale application of these systems. In order to tap the commercial potential of algae, a biorefinery concept has been proposed that could help to extract maximum benefits from algal biomass. This refinery concept promotes the harvesting of multiple products from the feedstock so as to make the process economically attractive. For the last few decades, algal biomass has been explored for use in various products such as fuel, agricultural crops, pigments and pharmaceuticals, as well as in bioremediation. To meet the huge demand, there has been a focus on large-scale production of algal biomass in closed or open photobioreactors. Different nutritional conditions for algal growth have been explored, such as photoautotrophic, heterotrophic, mixotrophic and oleaginous. This book is aimed at a wide audience, including undergraduates, postgraduates, academics, energy researchers, scientists in industry, energy specialists, policy makers and others who wish to understand algal biorefineries and also keep abreast of the latest developments.

Microalgae Cultivation for Biofuels Production explores the technological opportunities and challenges involved in producing economically competitive algal-derived biofuel. The book discusses efficient methods for cultivation, improvement of harvesting and lipid extraction techniques, optimization of conversion/production processes of fuels and co-products, the integration of microalgae biorefineries to several industries, environmental resilience by microalgae, and a techno-economic and lifecycle analysis of the production chain to gain maximum benefits from microalgae biorefineries. - Provides an overview of the whole production chain of microalgal biofuels and other bioproducts - Presents an analysis of the economic and sustainability aspects of the production chain - Examines the integration of microalgae biorefineries into several industries

Waste Biorefinery: Potential and Perspectives offers data-based information on the most cutting-edge processes for the utilisation of biogenic waste to produce biofuels, energy products, and biochemicals – a critical aspect of biorefinery. The book explores recent developments in biochemical and thermo-chemical methods of conversion and the potential generated by different kinds of biomass in more decentralized biorefineries. Additionally, the book discusses the move from 200 years of raw fossil materials to renewable resources and how this shift is accompanied by fundamental changes in industrial manufacturing technologies (from chemistry to biochemistry) and in logistics and manufacturing concepts (from petrochemical refineries to biorefineries). Waste Biorefinery: Potential and Perspectives designs concepts that enable modern biorefineries to utilize all types of biogenic wastes, and to integrate processes that convert byproduct streams to high-value products, achieving higher cost benefits. This book is an essential resource for researchers and students studying biomass, biorefineries, and biofuels/products/processes, as well as chemists, biochemical/chemical engineers, microbiologists, and biotechnologists working in industries and government agencies. - Details the most advanced and innovative methods for biomass conversion - Covers biochemical and thermo-chemical processes as well as product development - Discusses the integration of technologies to produce bio-fuels, energy products, and biochemicals - Illustrates specific applications in numerous case studies for reference and teaching purposes

Algae offer potential to produce renewable chemicals and fuels using solar energy and carbon dioxide from atmosphere or in flue gases while simultaneously reducing the generation of greenhouse gases. Since these can be grown on marginal lands with micronutrients and macronutrients often present in waste streams, algae-based chemicals and fuels do not compete with foods. Still large-scale production of algae-based fuels and chemicals faces considerable technological and economical challenges and it would by necessity require a biorefinery approach wherein all the possible algal components are converted into value-added compounds. The present series on algal biorefineries represents a forum for reporting the state of the art of different technologies as well as the latest advances in this field. The volume II of this series complements the volume I in terms of the current state of the art. Different chapters in this volume address diverse issues ranging from genetically modifies algae to new products to life-cycle analysis of algal products.

BIOREFINERY PRODUCTION OF FUELS AND PLATFORM CHEMICALS From the selection and pretreatment of raw materials to design of reactors, methods of conversion, selection of process parameters, optimization, and production of various types of biofuels to the industrial applications for the technology, this is the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of liquid biofuels for engineers and students. Massive use of fossil-based fuels not only create environmental pollution, but these sources are already diminishing. Waste biomass can aid in the production of biobased energy and chemicals. This book is a complete collection of chapters on biofuel and biochemical production presented in a sustainable way. Biorefineries are the need of the day, because they have the potential to produce fuels and chemicals in an environmentally sustainable way, to eventually fully displace production based on fossil resources such as petroleum, coal and natural gas. Algal cells are also a suitable fit for the production of both fuels and chemicals replacing conventional sources. In this book, several chapters summarize how algal biomass can be processed for the production of bioenergy and biochemicals. This volume is essentially a roadmap towards thermochemical, biochemicals, bioengineering and bioprocessing. Written and edited by authors from leading biotechnology research groups from across the world, this exciting new volume covers all of these technologies, including the basic concepts and the problems and solutions involved with the practical applications in the real world. Whether for the veteran engineer or scientist, the student, or a manager or other technician working in the field, this volume is a must-have for any library.