Second Generation Biofuels and Biomass


Book Description

This guide to investing in the bioenergy market covers the topic from both a scientific, economic and political perspective. It describes the increasing number of second generation biodiesel projects which are now emerging in anticipation of growing sustainability concerns by governments, and in response to market demands for improved process efficiencies and greater feedstock production yields. The book also closely examines the science and technology involved in second generation biofuels and gives concrete examples, such as in the aviation industry. The result is an essential guide for scientists, investors, politicians and decision-makers in the energy sector.




Third Generation Biofuels


Book Description

Growing concerns about the rapid depletion of fossil fuel reserves, rising crude oil prices, energy security and global climate change have led to increased worldwide interest in renewable energy sources such as biofuels. In this context, biofuel production from renewable sources is considered to be one of the most sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels and a viable means of achieving environmental and economic sustainability. Although biofuel processes hold great potential to provide a carbon-neutral route to fuel production, first-generation production systems are characterized by considerable economic and environmental limitations. The advent of second-generation biofuels is intended to produce fuels from lignocellulosic biomass, the woody part of plants that does not compete with food production. However, converting woody biomass into fermentable sugars requires costly technologies. Therefore, third-generation biofuels from microalgae are considered to be a viable alternative energy resource, free from the major drawbacks associated with first and second-generation biofuels. This book examines the background of third-generation biofuel production; the advantages of algae over traditional biofuel crops; algal biomass production; algae harvesting and drying methods; production of biofuel from microalgae; and future prospects.




Bioenergy and Biofuel from Biowastes and Biomass


Book Description

Biofuel and bioenergy produced from biowastes and biomass is a clean energy source which can be produced renewably. The 21 chapters of this book provide state-of-the-art reviews, current research, and technology developments with respect to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation biofuels and bioenergy. The book focuses on the biological/ biochemical pathway, as this option has been reported to be the most cost-effective method for biofuel/bioenergy production. The opening chapter covers the overview of the current status of biofuel and bioenergy production. The rest of the chapters are grouped into seven categories; they cover biomethane production, microbial fuel cells, feedstock production, preprocessing, biomass pretreatment, enzyme hydrolysis, and syngas fermentation. Algal processes for biofuel production, biobutanol production, bioreactor systems, and value-added processing of biofuel residues are included. This book addresses life cycle analyses (LCA) of 1st and 2nd generation biofuels (from corn, soybean, jatropha, and cellulosic biomass) and the emerging applications of nanotechnology in biofuel/bioenergy production. The book is organized in such a way that each preceding chapter builds a foundation for the following one. At the end of each chapter, current research trends and further research needs are outlined. This is one of the first books in this emerging field of biofuel/bioenergy that provides in-depth technical information on the broad topics of biofuel and bioenergy with extensive illustrations, case studies, summary tables, and up-to-date references. This book will be valuable to researchers, instructors, senior undergraduate and graduate students, decision-makers, professionals, and others interested in the field of biofuel/bioenergy.




Liquid Biofuels


Book Description

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.




Lignocellulosic Biomass to Liquid Biofuels


Book Description

Lignocellulosic Biomass to Liquid Biofuels explores the existing technologies and most recent developments for the production of second generation liquid biofuels, providing an introduction to lignocellulosic biomass and the processes for its conversion into biofuels. The book demonstrates biorefinery concepts compared with petro refinery, as well as the challenges of second generation biofuels processing. In addition to current pre-treatment techniques and their technical, environmental and economic implications, chapters included also further examine the particularities of conversion processes for bioethanol, biobutanol and biodiesel through chemical, biochemical and combined approaches. Finally, the book looks into concepts and tools for techno-economic and environmental analysis, which include supply chain assessment, by-products, zero-waste techniques and process evaluation and optimization. Lignocellulosic Biomass to Liquid Biofuels is particularly useful for researchers in the field of liquid biofuels seeking alternative chemical and biochemical pathways or those interested advanced methods to calculate maximum yield for each process and methods to simulate the implications and costs of scaling up. Furthermore, with the introduction provided by this volume, researchers and graduate students entering the field will be able to quickly get up to speed and identify knowledge gaps in existing and upcoming technology the book's comprehensive overview. - Examines the state-of-the-art technology for liquid biofuels production from lignocellulosic biomass - Provides a comprehensive overview of the existing chemical and biochemical processes for second generation biofuel conversion - Presents tools for the techno-economic and environmental analysis of technologies, as well as for the scale-up simulation of conversion processes




Recent Advancements in Biofuels and Bioenergy Utilization


Book Description

The concerns relating to global warming, climate change, and increasing energy demands have led to significant research towards the development of alternative energy to substitute the fossil energy sources. Biomass-based energy or biofuels are highly promising due to many perceptible environmental and socio-economic advantages. Cutting-edge academic research and advanced industrial product development have created tremendous scope for the implementation of biofuels at a global scale to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and supplement the escalating energy demands. The prime focus of this book is to provide an overview of the different technologies utilized to harness the chemical energy from plant-based non-edible biomass and other organic wastes in the form of solid, liquid, and gaseous biofuels. The opportunities and challenges of different biomass conversion technologies, especially biomass-to-liquid, biomass-to-gas and gas-to-liquid routes, as well as biomass pretreatments, densification, anaerobic digestion, reforming, transesterification, supercritical fluid extraction, microalgal carbon sequestration, life-cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis have been comprehensively discussed in this book. This book is an amalgamation of fifteen different chapters each with distinctive investigations and a collective focus relating to the transition from fossil fuels towards carbon-neutral biofuels. This book serves as a benchmark for academic and industrial researchers involved in exploring the true potentials of plant residues and waste organic matter to produce alternative renewable fuels. To realize the real promises of bioenergy, this book attempts to assess the biorefining approaches, biofuel production and application, and environmental sustainability.




Advances in 2nd Generation of Bioethanol Production


Book Description

Advances in 2nd Generation of Bioethanol Production presents a comprehensive overview of technologies and strategies for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass. This includes issues like sustainable production, environmental and economic benefits, and the main hurdles for upscaling and achieving commercial viability. The book assesses the current biomass conversion technologies, their readiness level for commercial production, and applications of bioethanol in bioenergy and chemical feedstock. The essential conversion process of 2nd generation biofuels, including feedstock composition and pretreatment, is then broken down, with special focus on advantages and pitfalls of each feedstock and process. It also explores the advances and challenges of bioprocessing, hydrolysis technologies and simultaneous fermentation of pentose and hexose. Finally, it presents the current status and bottlenecks for industrial production of bioethanol, as well as its future prospects. Its interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon plant biology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and genetics, makes Advances in 2nd Generation of Bioethanol Production a must-have reference for researchers in academia and industry R&D. It allows them to compare challenges and opportunities of new technologies and identify the gaps where new technology is needed. Practitioners in the industry also benefit from the information on working principles, design and control of the bioethanol production process, highlighting areas where technology innovation and investment should be placed. Graduate students and researchers newly entered in this field find here a key-resource to thoroughly understand the process as well as the fundamentals of bioethanol and bioproducts production from lignocellulosic biomass. Presents fundamentals and state-of-the-art of available pathways for bioethanol and bioproducts production from lignocellulosic biomass Discusses key-challenges for large scale production of bioethanol, such as pretreatment and hydrolysis Covers the specificities of various feedstocks and processes, the role of microorganisms in fermentation, saccharification limitations and challenges in the C5 and C6 fermentation




Handbook of Biofuels Production


Book Description

Handbook of Biofuels Production, Second Edition, discusses advanced chemical, biochemical, and thermochemical biofuels production routes that are fast being developed to address the global increase in energy usage. Research and development in this field is aimed at improving the quality and environmental impact of biofuels production, as well as the overall efficiency and output of biofuels production plants. The book provides a comprehensive and systematic reference on the range of biomass conversion processes and technology. Key changes for this second edition include increased coverage of emerging feedstocks, including microalgae, more emphasis on by-product valorization for biofuels' production, additional chapters on emerging biofuel production methods, and discussion of the emissions associated with biofuel use in engines. The editorial team is strengthened by the addition of two extra members, and a number of new contributors have been invited to work with authors from the first edition to revise existing chapters, thus offering fresh perspectives. - Provides systematic and detailed coverage of the processes and technologies being used for biofuel production - Discusses advanced chemical, biochemical, and thermochemical biofuels production routes that are fast being developed to address the global increase in energy usage - Reviews the production of both first and second generation biofuels - Addresses integrated biofuel production in biorefineries and the use of waste materials as feedstocks




Transportation Biofuels


Book Description

Current world fossil oil production is struggling to meet demand and may even show a decline after 2010. It is therefore necessary to develop new energy-efficient production pathways for transportation biofuels. This book offers an insight into three promising and innovative pathways for the biological production of ethanol, biogas and biodiesel. These unconventional methods should provide higher product yields, less stringent feedstock specifications, lower chemical additive demand, reduced waste production and much better energy balances when compared to more traditional methods. One pathway concerns the enzymatic production of a new kind of biodiesel where no glycerol waste is produced and an up to twenty percent higher product yield is obtained. The other two pathways are based on the biological conversion of syngas into ethanol or methane using various kinds of lignocellulosic biomass as the starting point. For each of the three pathways a comparison will be made with competing production methods. The contents reflect extended desktop research and show practical experimental results. Government scientists, academics and biofuel producers with an interest in novel transportation fuels will all find this book to be essential reading.




Biofuel Crops


Book Description

Providing comprehensive coverage on biofuel crop production and the technological, environmental and resource issues associated with a sustainable biofuel industry, this book is ideal for researchers and industry personnel. Beginning with an introduction to biofuels and the challenges they face, the book then includes detailed coverage on crops of current importance or with high future prospects, including sections on algae, sugar crops and grass, oil and forestry species. The chapters focus on the genetics, breeding, cultivation, harvesting and handling of each crop.