Biomass For Bioenergy And Biomaterials

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Biomass for Bioenergy and Biomaterials

Author : Nidhi Adlakha,Rakesh Bhatnagar,Syed Shams Yazdani
Publisher : CRC Press
Page : 385 pages
File Size : 48,8 Mb
Release : 2021-10-22
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9781000468830

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Biomass for Bioenergy and Biomaterials by Nidhi Adlakha,Rakesh Bhatnagar,Syed Shams Yazdani Pdf

Biomass for Bioenergy and Biomaterials presents an overview of recent studies developed specifically for lignocellulose-based production of biofuels, biochemicals, and functional materials. The emphasis is on using sustainable chemistry and engineering to develop innovative materials and fuels for practical applications. Technological strategies for the physical processing or biological conversion of biomass for material production are also presented. FEATURES Offers a comprehensive view of biomass processing, biofuel production, life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, and biochemical and biomaterial production Presents details of innovative strategies to pretreat biomass Helps readers understand the underlying metabolic pathways and identify the best engineering strategies for their native strain Highlights different strategies to make biomaterials from biomass Provides insight into the potential economic viability of the biomass-based process This book serves as an ideal reference for academic researchers and engineers working with renewable natural materials, the biorefining of lignocellulose, and biofuels. It can also be used as a comprehensive reference source for university students in metabolic, chemical, and environmental engineering.

Handbook of Research on Bioenergy and Biomaterials

Author : Leopoldo Javier Ríos González,Jośe Antonio Rodríguez-De La Garza,Miguel Ángel Medina Morales,Cristóbal Noé Aguilar
Publisher : CRC Press
Page : 736 pages
File Size : 51,7 Mb
Release : 2021-12-23
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9781000210736

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Handbook of Research on Bioenergy and Biomaterials by Leopoldo Javier Ríos González,Jośe Antonio Rodríguez-De La Garza,Miguel Ángel Medina Morales,Cristóbal Noé Aguilar Pdf

The handbook provides an understanding of consolidated processing and biorefinery systems for the production of bio-based chemicals and value-added bioproducts from renewable sources. The chapters look at a variety of bioenergy technological advances and improvements in the energy and materials sectors that aim to lower our dependence of fossil fuels and consequently reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The volume looks at a selection of processes for the production of energy and biomaterials, including the Fischer–Tropsch process, gasification, pyrolysis, combustion, fermentation from renewable sources (such as, plants, animals and their byproducts), and others. Applications that are explored include transportation fuels, biodiesel production, wastewater treatment, edible packaging, bioplastics, physical rehabilitation, tissue engineering, biomedical applications, thermal insulation, industrial value compounds, and more. All of the topics covered in this publication address consolidated processes that play a pivotal role in the production of bioenergy and biomaterials because these processes require fewer unitary operations needed in the process, leading to a more direct method of production. This type of production system contributes to decreasing negative effects on the environment, lowering costs, saving energy and time, and improving profitability and efficiency. This volume will be valuable for the industrial sector, for researchers and scientists, as well as for faculty and advanced students.

Biorefinery

Author : Juan-Rodrigo Bastidas-Oyanedel,Jens Ejbye Schmidt
Publisher : Springer
Page : 763 pages
File Size : 40,6 Mb
Release : 2019-04-15
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9783030109615

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Biorefinery by Juan-Rodrigo Bastidas-Oyanedel,Jens Ejbye Schmidt Pdf

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 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.

Biomass and Bioenergy

Author : Khalid Rehman Hakeem,Mohammad Jawaid,Umer Rashid
Publisher : Springer
Page : 367 pages
File Size : 46,8 Mb
Release : 2014-08-25
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783319076416

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Biomass and Bioenergy by Khalid Rehman Hakeem,Mohammad Jawaid,Umer Rashid Pdf

Biomass obtained from agricultural residues or forest can be used to produce different materials and bioenergy required in a modern society. As compared to other resources available, biomass is one of the most common and widespread resources in the world. Thus, biomass has the potential to provide a renewable energy source, both locally and across large areas of the world. It is estimated that the total investment in the biomass sector between 2008 and 2021 will reach the large sum of $104 billion. Presently bioenergy is the most important renewable energy option and will remain so the near and medium-term future. Previously several countries try to explore the utilization of biomass in bioenergy and composite sector. Biomass has the potential to become the world’s largest and most sustainable energy source and will be very much in demand. Bioenergy is based on resources that can be utilized on a sustainable basis all around the world and can thus serve as an effective option for the provision of energy services. In addition, the benefits accrued go beyond energy provision, creating unique opportunities for regional development. The present book will provide an up-to-date account of non-wood, forest residues, agricultural biomass (natural fibers), and energy crops together with processing, properties and its applications to ensure biomass utilization and reuse. All aspects of biomass and bioenergy and their properties and applications will be critically re-examined. The book consists of three sections, presenting Non wood and forest products from forestry, arboriculture activities or from wood processing, agricultural biomass (natural fibers) from agricultural harvesting or processing and finally energy crops: high yield crops and grasses grown especially for energy production.

Biomass Modification, Characterization and Process Monitoring Analytics to Support Biofuel and Biomaterial Production

Author : Robert Henry,Blake Simmons,Jason Lupoi
Publisher : Frontiers Media SA
Page : 158 pages
File Size : 52,9 Mb
Release : 2016-06-09
Category : Biotechnology
ISBN : 9782889198672

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Biomass Modification, Characterization and Process Monitoring Analytics to Support Biofuel and Biomaterial Production by Robert Henry,Blake Simmons,Jason Lupoi Pdf

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into renewable fuels and other commodities has provided an appealing alternative towards supplanting global dependence on fossil fuels. The suitability of multitudes of plants for deconstruction to useful precursor molecules and products is currently being evaluated. These studies have probed a variety of phenotypic traits, including cellulose, non-cellulosic polysaccharide, lignin, and lignin monomer composition, glucose and xylose production following enzymatic hydrolysis, and an assessment of lignin-carbohydrate and lignin-lignin linkages, to name a few. These quintessential traits can provide an assessment of biomass recalcitrance, enabling researchers to devise appropriate deconstruction strategies. Plants with high polysaccharide and lower lignin contents have been shown to breakdown to monomeric sugars more readily. Not all plants contain ideal proportions of the various cell wall constituents, however. The capabilities of biotechnology can alleviate this conundrum by tailoring the chemical composition of plants to be more favorable for conversion to sugars, fuels, etc. Increases in the total biomass yield, cellulose content, or conversion efficiency through, for example, a reduction in lignin content, are pathways being evaluated to genetically improve plants for use in manufacturing biofuels and bio-based chemicals. Although plants have been previously domesticated for food and fiber production, the collection of phenotypic traits prerequisite for biofuel production may necessitate new genetic breeding schemes. Given the plethora of potential plants available for exploration, rapid analytical methods are needed to more efficiently screen through the bulk of samples to hone in on which feedstocks contain the desired chemistry for subsequent conversion to valuable, renewable commodities. The standard methods for analyzing biomass and related intermediates and finished products are laborious, potentially toxic, and/or destructive. They may also necessitate a complex data analysis, significantly increasing the experimental time and add unwanted delays in process monitoring, where delays can incur in significant costs. Advances in thermochemical and spectroscopic techniques have enabled the screening of thousands of plants for different phenotypes, such as cell-wall cellulose, non-cellulosic polysaccharide, and lignin composition, lignin monomer composition, or monomeric sugar release. Some instrumental methods have been coupled with multivariate analysis, providing elegant chemometric predictive models enabling the accelerated identification of potential feedstocks. In addition to the use of high-throughput analytical methods for the characterization of feedstocks based on phenotypic metrics, rapid instrumental techniques have been developed for the real-time monitoring of diverse processes, such as the efficacy of a specific pretreatment strategy, or the formation of end products, such as biofuels and biomaterials. Real-time process monitoring techniques are needed for all stages of the feedstocks-to-biofuels conversion process in order to maximize efficiency and lower costs by monitoring and optimizing performance. These approaches allow researchers to adjust experimental conditions during, rather than at the conclusion, of a process, thereby decreasing overhead expenses. This Frontiers Research Topic explores options for the modification of biomass composition and the conversion of these feedstocks into to biofuels or biomaterials and the related innovations in methods for the analysis of the composition of plant biomass, and advances in assessing up- and downstream processes in real-time. Finally, a review of the computational models available for techno-economic modeling and lifecycle analysis will be presented.

Catalytic Biomass to Renewable Biofuels and Biomaterials

Author : Yi-Tong Wang ,Zhen Fang
Publisher : MDPI
Page : 208 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 2020-11-13
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9783039363124

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Catalytic Biomass to Renewable Biofuels and Biomaterials by Yi-Tong Wang ,Zhen Fang Pdf

Biomass is the only renewable carbon source that can be converted into high value-added carbon products. This book presents a collection of studies on the conversion of catalytic biomass to renewable biofuels and biomaterials by chemical conversion, co-combustion technology, and biological conversion technology. The fundamentals and mechanisms of catalytic materials design, process optimization, product development, and by-product utilization are outlined. All articles were contributed by experts in catalysis and bioenergy fields to provide readers with a broad range of perspectives on cutting-edge applications. This book is an ideal reference guide for academic researchers and engineering technicians in the fields of catalytic material synthesis, biomass energy conversion, enzyme catalysis, pyrolysis, combustion, vaporization, and fermentation. It can also be used as a comprehensive reference source for university students in renewable energy science and engineering, agricultural engineering, thermal engineering, chemical engineering, material science, and environmental engineering. This book contains 12 articles: (1) “Catalytic Biomass to Renewable Biofuels and Biomaterials”; (2) “Experimental Design to Improve Cell Growth and Ethanol Production in Syngas Fermentation by Clostridium carboxidivorans”; (3) “Glycerol Acetylation Mediated by Thermally Hydrolysed Biosolids-Based Material”; (4) “Influence of Base-Catalyzed Organosolv Fractionation of Larch Wood Sawdust on Fraction Yields and Lignin Properties”; (5) “Ca-based Catalysts for the Production of High-Quality Bio-Oils from the Catalytic Co-Pyrolysis of Grape Seeds and Waste Tyres”; (6) “Synthesis of Diesel and Jet Fuel Range Cycloalkanes with Cyclopentanone and Furfural”; (7) “Gel-Type and Macroporous Cross-Linked Copolymers Functionalized with Acid Groups for the Hydrolysis of Wheat Straw Pretreated with an Ionic Liquid”; (8) “Role of Humic Acid Chemical Structure Derived from Different Biomass Feedstocks on Fe(III) Bioreduction Activity: Implication for Sustainable Use of Bioresources”; (9) “Selective Production of Terephthalonitrile and Benzonitrile via Pyrolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) with Ammonia over Ca(OH)2/Al2O3 Catalysts”; (10) “Experimental Studies on Co-Combustion of Sludge and Wheat Straw”; (11) “Carbonate-Catalyzed Room-Temperature Selective Reduction of Biomass-Derived 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural into 2,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)furan”; (12) “Clostridium sp. as Bio-Catalyst for Fuels and Chemicals Production in a Biorefinery Context”.

Biomass Conversion

Author : Chinnappan Baskar,Shikha Baskar,Ranjit S. Dhillon
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 484 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 2012-05-08
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9783642284182

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Biomass Conversion by Chinnappan Baskar,Shikha Baskar,Ranjit S. Dhillon Pdf

The consumption of petroleum has surged during the 20th century, at least partially because of the rise of the automobile industry. Today, fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas provide more than three quarters of the world's energy. Unfortunately, the growing demand for fossil fuel resources comes at a time of diminishing reserves of these nonrenewable resources. The worldwide reserves of oil are sufficient to supply energy and chemicals for only about another 40 years, causing widening concerns about rising oil prices. The use of biomass to produce energy is only one form of renewable energy that can be utilized to reduce the impact of energy production and use on the global environment. Biomass can be converted into three main products such as energy, biofuels and fine chemicals using a number of different processes. Today, it is a great challenge for researchers to find new environmentally benign methodology for biomass conversion, which are industrially profitable as well. This book focuses on the conversion of biomass to biofuels, bioenergy and fine chemicals with the interface of biotechnology, microbiology, chemistry and materials science. An international scientific authorship summarizes the state-of-the-art of the current research and gives an outlook on future developments.

Biomass as Renewable Raw Material to Obtain Bioproducts of High-Tech Value

Author : Valentin I. Popa,Irina Volf
Publisher : Elsevier
Page : 492 pages
File Size : 51,6 Mb
Release : 2018-02-15
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9780444637970

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Biomass as Renewable Raw Material to Obtain Bioproducts of High-Tech Value by Valentin I. Popa,Irina Volf Pdf

Biomass as Renewable Raw Material to Obtain Bioproducts of High-tech Value examines the use of biomass as a raw material, including terrestrial and aquatic sources to obtain extracts (e.g. polyphenols), biofuels, and/or intermediates (furfural, levulinates) through chemical and biochemical processes. The book also covers the production of natural polymers using biomass and the biosynthetic process, cellulose modified by biochemical and chemical methods, and other biochemicals that can be used in the synthesis of various pharmaceuticals. Featuring case studies, discussions of sustainability, and nanomedical, biomedical, and pharmaceutical applications, Biomass as Renewable Raw Material to Obtain Bioproducts of High-tech Value is a crucial resource for biotechnologists, biochemical engineers, biochemists, microbiologists, and research students in these areas, as well as entrepreneurs, policy makers, stakeholders, and politicians. Reviews biomass resources and compounds with bioactive properties Describes chemical and biochemical processes for creating biofuels from biomass Outlines production of polysaccharides and cellulose derivatives Features applications in the fields of medicine and pharmacy

Introduction to Renewable Biomaterials

Author : Ali S. Ayoub,Lucian A. Lucia
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
Page : 288 pages
File Size : 49,8 Mb
Release : 2017-09-08
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781118698594

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Introduction to Renewable Biomaterials by Ali S. Ayoub,Lucian A. Lucia Pdf

Covers the entire evolutionary spectrum of biomass, from its genetic modification and harvesting, to conversion technologies, life cycle analysis, and its value to the current global economy This original textbook introduces readers to biomass—a renewable resource derived from forest, agriculture, and organic-based materials—which has attracted significant attention as a sustainable alternative to petrochemicals for large-scale production of fuels, materials, and chemicals. The current renaissance in the manipulation and uses of biomass has been so abrupt and focused, that very few educational textbooks actually cover these topics to any great extent. That’s why this interdisciplinary text is a welcome resource for those seeking a better understanding of this new discipline. It combines the underpinning science of biomass with technology applications and sustainability considerations to provide a broad focus to its readers. Introduction to Renewable Biomaterials: First Principles and Concepts consists of eight chapters on the following topics: fundamental biochemical & biotechnological principles; principles and methodologies controlling plant growth and silviculture; fundamental science and engineering considerations; critical considerations and strategies for harvesting; first principles of pretreatment; conversion technologies; characterization methods and techniques; and life cycle analysis. Each chapter includes a glossary of terms, two to three problem sets, and boxes to highlight novel discoveries and instruments. Chapters also offer questions for further consideration and suggestions for further reading. Developed from a successful USDA funded course, run by a partnership of three US universities: BioSUCEED - BioProducts Sustainability, a University Cooperative Center for Excellence in Education Covers the entire evolutionary spectrum of biomass, from genetic modification to life cycle analysis Presents the key chemistry, biology, technology, and sustainability aspects of biomaterials Edited by a highly regarded academic team, with extensive research and teaching experience in the field Introduction to Renewable Biomaterials: First Principles and Concepts is an ideal text for advanced academics and industry professionals involved with biomass and renewable resources, bioenergy, biorefining, biotechnology, materials science, sustainable chemistry, chemical engineering, crop science and technology, agriculture.

Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts

Author : Kasthurirangan Gopalakrishnan,J. Hans van Leeuwen,Robert C. Brown
Publisher : Springer
Page : 228 pages
File Size : 51,8 Mb
Release : 2011-11-09
Category : Science
ISBN : 1447123255

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Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts by Kasthurirangan Gopalakrishnan,J. Hans van Leeuwen,Robert C. Brown Pdf

Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts considers the recent technological innovations and emerging concepts in biobased energy production and coproducts utilization. Each chapter in this book has been carefully selected and contributed by experts in the field to provide a good understanding of the various challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable production of biofuel. Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts covers a broad and detailed range of topics including: production capacity of hydrocarbons in the plant kingdom, algae, and microbes; biomass pretreatment for biofuel production; microbial fuel cells; sustainable use of biofuel co-products; bioeconomy and transportation infrastructure impacts and assessment of environmental risks and the life cycle of biofuels. Researchers, practitioners, undergraduate and graduate students engaged in the study of biorenewables, and members of the well-informed public will find Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts to be a useful and comprehensive research tool, describing the state of the art and recent developments in this field.

Catalytic Biomass to Renewable Biofuels and Biomaterials

Author : Yi-Tong Wang,Zhen Fang
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 208 pages
File Size : 52,9 Mb
Release : 2020
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 3039363131

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Catalytic Biomass to Renewable Biofuels and Biomaterials by Yi-Tong Wang,Zhen Fang Pdf

Biomass is the only renew ...

Biomass as a Sustainable Energy Source for the Future

Author : Wiebren de Jong,J. Ruud van Ommen
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
Page : 600 pages
File Size : 46,5 Mb
Release : 2014-10-03
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781118916636

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Biomass as a Sustainable Energy Source for the Future by Wiebren de Jong,J. Ruud van Ommen Pdf

Focusing on the conversion of biomass into gas or liquid fuels the book covers physical pre-treatment technologies, thermal, chemical and biochemical conversion technologies • Details the latest biomass characterization techniques • Explains the biochemical and thermochemical conversion processes • Discusses the development of integrated biorefineries, which are similar to petroleum refineries in concept, covering such topics as reactor configurations and downstream processing • Describes how to mitigate the environmental risks when using biomass as fuel • Includes many problems, small projects, sample calculations and industrial application examples

Biomass Modification, Characterization and Process Monitoring Analytics to Support Biofuel and Biomaterial Production

Author : Anonim
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 43,8 Mb
Release : 2016
Category : Electronic
ISBN : OCLC:1368453085

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Biomass Modification, Characterization and Process Monitoring Analytics to Support Biofuel and Biomaterial Production by Anonim Pdf

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into renewable fuels and other commodities has provided an appealing alternative towards supplanting global dependence on fossil fuels. The suitability of multitudes of plants for deconstruction to useful precursor molecules and products is currently being evaluated. These studies have probed a variety of phenotypic traits, including cellulose, non-cellulosic polysaccharide, lignin, and lignin monomer composition, glucose and xylose production following enzymatic hydrolysis, and an assessment of lignin-carbohydrate and lignin-lignin linkages, to name a few. These quintessential traits can provide an assessment of biomass recalcitrance, enabling researchers to devise appropriate deconstruction strategies. Plants with high polysaccharide and lower lignin contents have been shown to breakdown to monomeric sugars more readily. Not all plants contain ideal proportions of the various cell wall constituents, however. The capabilities of biotechnology can alleviate this conundrum by tailoring the chemical composition of plants to be more favorable for conversion to sugars, fuels, etc. Increases in the total biomass yield, cellulose content, or conversion efficiency through, for example, a reduction in lignin content, are pathways being evaluated to genetically improve plants for use in manufacturing biofuels and bio-based chemicals. Although plants have been previously domesticated for food and fiber production, the collection of phenotypic traits prerequisite for biofuel production may necessitate new genetic breeding schemes. Given the plethora of potential plants available for exploration, rapid analytical methods are needed to more efficiently screen through the bulk of samples to hone in on which feedstocks contain the desired chemistry for subsequent conversion to valuable, renewable commodities. The standard methods for analyzing biomass and related intermediates and finished products are laborious, potentially toxic, and/or destructive. They may also necessitate a complex data analysis, significantly increasing the experimental time and add unwanted delays in process monitoring, where delays can incur in significant costs. Advances in thermochemical and spectroscopic techniques have enabled the screening of thousands of plants for different phenotypes, such as cell-wall cellulose, non-cellulosic polysaccharide, and lignin composition, lignin monomer composition, or monomeric sugar release. Some instrumental methods have been coupled with multivariate analysis, providing elegant chemometric predictive models enabling the accelerated identification of potential feedstocks. In addition to the use of high-throughput analytical methods for the characterization of feedstocks based on phenotypic metrics, rapid instrumental techniques have been developed for the real-time monitoring of diverse processes, such as the efficacy of a specific pretreatment strategy, or the formation of end products, such as biofuels and biomaterials. Real-time process monitoring techniques are needed for all stages of the feedstocks-to-biofuels conversion process in order to maximize efficiency and lower costs by monitoring and optimizing performance. These approaches allow researchers to adjust experimental conditions during, rather than at the conclusion, of a process, thereby decreasing overhead expenses. This Frontiers Research Topic explores options for the modification of biomass composition and the conversion of these feedstocks into to biofuels or biomaterials and the related innovations in methods for the analysis of the composition of plant biomass, and advances in assessing up- and downstream processes in real-time. Finally, a review of the computational models available for techno-economic modeling and lifecycle analysis will be presented.

Valorization of Biomass to Bioproducts

Author : Vijai Kumar Gupta
Publisher : Elsevier
Page : 588 pages
File Size : 54,8 Mb
Release : 2023-02-21
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9780128230800

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Valorization of Biomass to Bioproducts by Vijai Kumar Gupta Pdf

Valorization of Biomass to Bioproducts: Biochemicals and Biomaterials discusses the-innovation and blueprint of biochemical extraction processes and the ideal utilization of biochemicals that help form the basis of green extraction to produce biochemicals from biomass. The book comprises a rising arena of research focused on designing novel, environmentally-friendly, naturally-derived and tenable biochemicals from biomass that serve several biosustainable purposes. Due to increasing demand in chemical and biochemical products, and to minimize industrial space, there is an increased need to recycle wastes and design cost-effective chemical and biochemical units. As such, knowledge on the recovery of biochemicals, bioconversions and extraction technologies is essential. Highlights biotechnologies, concepts and commercial developments in the area of biomass to biochemicals production Covers numerous bioprocessing technologies Includes process optimization and recent challenges Provides applications of biobased/natural biochemicals Consolidates the most recent research surrounding the disciplines of biochemistry, biotechnology, biochemical engineering and microbiology

Applications of Biomass-Derived Materials for Bioproducts and Bioenergy

Author : Farid Chejne Janna,Manuel Garcia Perez,María del Pilar Noriega E.
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 55,8 Mb
Release : 2023
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 1569908974

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Applications of Biomass-Derived Materials for Bioproducts and Bioenergy by Farid Chejne Janna,Manuel Garcia Perez,María del Pilar Noriega E. Pdf

This book offers a unique overview of usage of biomass, biomaterials, and bioproducts, including biopolymers. Included are materials, processes, usage as an energy source, and, in particular, applications. It is intended to educate both professionals and graduate students, who typically must acquire knowledge outside of traditional academic disciplines to gain an appreciation of these systems. While the growing need for renewable energy can be satisfied from other renewable sources, biomass is our only real source of renewable carbon-based chemicals and fuels. More and more companies are moving toward using these materials, and investing in new technology based on renewable resources to develop their businesses in a sustainable way. Despite this, few scientists and engineers have been appropriately trained to work in the interdisciplinary field of the biomass economy. Traditional academic disciplines are not well organized to train engineers and scientists to develop new bio-refinery concepts and bio-based products (including bio-based polymers) in industry, nor to develop and integrate pathways to convert biomass into other forms of energy and useful products. The integration of old and new pathways to satisfy global and local markets is the basic skill required to create new biomass processing alternatives. This book is written to fill this gap.