Biomass is widely considered as a potential alternative to dwindling fossil fuel reserves. There is a large variety of biomass sources (oleaginous, lignocellulosic, algae, etc.), with many possible conversion routes and products. Currently, biomass is not just viewed as a source of biofuels, but also as an interesting feedstock for the production of bio-based chemicals that could largely replace petrochemicals. In this context, the search for new sustainable and efficient alternatives to fossil sources is gaining increasing relevance within the chemical industry. There, the role of catalysis is often critical for the development of clean and sustainable processes, aiming to produce commodity chemicals or liquid fuels with a high efficiency and atom economy. This book gathers works at the cutting edge of investigation in the application of catalysis, for the sustainable conversion of biomass into biofuels and bio-based chemicals.

The long-held tenets of the energy sector are being rewritten in the twenty-first century. The rise of unconventional oil and gas and of renewables is transforming our economies and improving our understanding of the distribution of the world’s energy resources and their impacts. A complete knowledge of the dynamics underpinning energy markets is necessary for decision-makers reconciling economic, energy, and environmental objectives. Those that anticipate global energy developments successfully can derive an advantage, while those that fail to do so risk making poor policy and investment decisions. Focused on solving the key challenges impeding the realization of advanced cellulosic biofuels and bioproducts in rural areas, Biomass and Biofuels: Advanced Biorefineries for Sustainable Production and Distribution provides comprehensive information on sustainable production of biomass feedstock, supply chain management of feedstocks to the biorefinery site, advanced conversion processes, and catalysts/biocatalysts for production of fuels and chemicals using conventional and integrated technologies. The book also presents detailed coverage of downstream processing, and ecological considerations for refineries processing lignocellulosic and algal biomass resources. Discussions of feedstock raw materials, methods for biomass conversion, and its effective integration to make biorefinery more sustainable – economically, environmentally, and socially – give you the tools to make informed decisions.

Advances in Feedstock Conversion Technologies for Alternative Fuels and Bioproducts: New Technologies, Challenges and Opportunities highlights the novel applications of, and new methodologies for, the advancement of biological, biochemical, thermochemical and chemical conversion systems that are required for biofuels production. The book addresses the environmental impact of value added bio-products and agricultural modernization, along with the risk assessment of industrial scaling. The book also stresses the urgency in finding creative, efficient and sustainable solutions for environmentally conscious biofuels, while underlining pertinent technical, environmental, economic, regulatory and social issues. Users will find a basis for technology assessments, current research capability, progress, and advances, as well as the challenges associated with biofuels at an industrial scale, with insights towards forthcoming developments in the industry. - Presents a thorough overview of new discoveries in biofuels research and the inherent challenges associated with scale-up - Highlights the novel applications and advancements for biological, biochemical, thermochemical and chemical conversion systems that are required for biofuels production - Evaluates risk management concerns, addressing the environmental impact of value added bio-products and agricultural modernization, and the risk assessment of industrial scaling

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

This book discusses the biorefinery of biomass feedstocks. In-depth chapters highlight the scientific and technical aspects and present a techno-economic analysis of such systems. By using a TEA approach, the authors present feasible pathways for the conversion of biomass (both residual biomass, energy crops, and algae biomass), showing the different possibilities for the production of biochemical materials, biofuels, and fertilizers. The concepts presented in this book will link companies, investors, and governments by providing a framework that will help reduce pollutants and create a biomass-related economy that incorporates the newest developments and technologies in the area.

Bioenergy Research: Advances and Applications brings biology and engineering together to address the challenges of future energy needs. The book consolidates the most recent research on current technologies, concepts, and commercial developments in various types of widely used biofuels and integrated biorefineries, across the disciplines of biochemistry, biotechnology, phytology, and microbiology. All the chapters in the book are derived from international scientific experts in their respective research areas. They provide you with clear and concise information on both standard and more recent bioenergy production methods, including hydrolysis and microbial fermentation. Chapters are also designed to facilitate early stage researchers, and enables you to easily grasp the concepts, methodologies and application of bioenergy technologies. Each chapter in the book describes the merits and drawbacks of each technology as well as its usefulness. The book provides information on recent approaches to graduates, post-graduates, researchers and practitioners studying and working in field of the bioenergy. It is an invaluable information resource on biomass-based biofuels for fundamental and applied research, catering to researchers in the areas of bio-hydrogen, bioethanol, bio-methane and biorefineries, and the use of microbial processes in the conversion of biomass into biofuels. - Reviews all existing and promising technologies for production of advanced biofuels in addition to bioenergy policies and research funding - Cutting-edge research concepts for biofuels production using biological and biochemical routes, including microbial fuel cells - Includes production methods and conversion processes for all types of biofuels, including bioethanol and biohydrogen, and outlines the pros and cons of each

Diminishing confined fossil resources has spurred the scientific community to strive for alternative, sustainable resources, such as terrestrial biomass, which can potentially substitute fossil-based derivatives. Lignocellulosic biomass is deemed an indispensable carbon source for meeting industrial and social demands regarding energy/fuels and chemicals. Over the past decade, significant advances have been shown in developing a broad spectrum of high-value chemicals and functional materials derived from biomass-based substrates. In connection with this, furanic chemicals, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural, have recently received considerable attention due to their potential applications. Catalytic Transformations of Sustainable and Versatile Furanic Chemicals aims to explicitly display the latest technical developments on designing functional catalysts, optimizing process and reaction parameters, and improving the stability of the employed materials on the transformation of HMF and furfural to a wide range of value-added chemicals via oxidation, reduction, hydrodeoxygenation, and reductive amination processes. Features: Highlighting the importance and significance of HMF and furfural. Evaluating the transformations of HMF and furfural with various catalytic processes. Designing robust and efficient catalytic systems. Understanding the stability of catalytic materials. Understanding the characteristic features of the catalytic materials. This book aims to target not only researchers focusing on biomass valorization from academic to industrial sectors but also graduate students interested in pursuing their higher education in biochemicals (especially furanic compounds), covering various aspects in organic synthesis routes, preparation of inorganic materials and physico-chemical properties, for both chemists and chemical engineers.