The cane plant is probably the most efficient utilizer of sun energy for food production, and at the same time provides an equivalent quantity of biomass. The purpose of this book is to set down the unique position of sugar cane in the cogeneration field. Simultaneous with the development of distance-transmission of electricity, sugar cane processors started cogeneration, making use of the cane plant to supply the power for its own processing, and in recent years excess power for export.A broad view of cogeneration in the cane industry, covering the energy available in a crop, the technology of processing for optimum recovery of energy as well as sugar is presented here. The book describes the most practicable processes for recovering energy in the form of process steam and electricity.Cogeneration in the Cane Sugar Industry should be of interest to a broad spectrum, including government agencies, biomass interests, power generators, public utilities as well as sugar producers and technologist.

Sugarcane exhibits all the major characteristics of a promising bioenergy crop including high biomass yield, C4 photosynthetic system, perennial nature, and ratooning ability. Being the largest agricultural commodity of the world with respect to total production, sugarcane biomass is abundantly available. Brazil has already become a sugarcane biofuels centered economy while Thailand, Colombia, and South Africa are also significantly exploiting this energy source. Other major cane producers include India, China, Pakistan, Mexico, Australia, Indonesia, and the United States. It has been projected that sugarcane biofuels will be playing extremely important role in world’s energy matrix in recent future. This book analyzes the significance, applications, achievements, and future avenues of biofuels and bioenergy production from sugarcane, in top cane growing countries around the globe. Moreover, we also evaluate the barriers and areas of improvement for targeting efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective biofuels from sugarcane to meet the world’s energy needs and combat the climate change.

New federal and state laws providing tax credits and markets to independent producers of electricity have created widespread interest in the development of small, dispersed power plants using cogeneration processes, waste, or renewable resources. Recent legislation also promotes decentralized electricity production by allowing unregulated, non-util

This conference is the second such meeting under the auspices of the International Energy Agency's Bioenergy Agreement. The first lEA sponsored Fundamentals of Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Conference was held in Estes Park in 1982 and attracted 153 delegates from 13 countries around the world at a time when interest in biomass derived energy was at a peak. Since then oil prices have fallen considerably and with most prognoses for level prices until the end of the century, there has been a significant downturn in support for biomass conversion technologies. It has been particularly encouraging, therefore, to have received such an excellent response to this meeting. A total of 122 papers were offered, and 135 delegates registered for the conference from 19 countries. The theme of this meeting was Research in Thermochemical Biomass Conversion to reflect the advances made in research, development, demonstration and com mercialisation since the Fundamentals meeting in 1982. The programme was divided into sections on fundamental research, applied research, and demonstration and commercial activities to emphasise the interaction and roles of all levels of research in supporting the eventual commercial implementation. The layout of the pro ceedings reflects this same pattern, with an introductory section on status and technoeconomics to identify opportunities and constraints in different parts of the world. All the papers included in these proceedings have been subjected to the usual peer review process to ensure the highest standards.