Biorefinery of Alternative Resources: Targeting Green Fuels and Platform Chemicals

This book summarizes recent advances in the processing of waste biomass resources to produce biofuels and biochemicals. Worldwide interest in clean energy sources, environmental protection, and mitigating global warming is rapidly gaining momentum and spurring on the search for alternative energy sources, especially for the transportation and industrial sectors. This book reviews the opportunities presented by low-cost organic waste materials, discussing their suitability for alternative fuel and fine chemical production, physicochemical characterization, conversion technologies, feedstock and fuel chemistry, refining technologies, fuel upgrading, residue management, and the circular economy. In addition, it explores applied aspects of biomass conversion by highlighting several significant thermochemical, hydrothermal and biological technologies. In summary, the book offers comprehensive and representative descriptions of key fuel processing technologies, energy conversion and management, waste valorization, eco-friendly waste remediation, biomass supply chain, lifecycle assessment, techno-economic analysis and the circular bioeconomy.

Dr. Sonil Nanda is a Research Associate at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. He received his Ph.D. degree in Biology from York University in Toronto and has worked as a postdoctoral researcher at York University and the University of Western Ontario in Canada. His research areas are related to advanced biofuels and biochemicals, thermochemical and biological conversion technologies, generation of hydrothermal flames for hazardous waste treatment, biochar-based agronomy, bioremediation, as well as carbon capture and sequestration. He has published more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, 20 book chapters and 80 conference proceedings. He is the editor of several books published by Springer, Elsevier and CRC Press. He is also the guest editor of several Special Issues of esteemed journals, namely the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Chemical Engineering & Technology, Waste and Biomass Valorization, SN Applied Sciences andTopics in Catalysis.

Dr. Dai-Viet N. Vo is the Director of the Center of Excellence for Green Energy and Environmental Nanomaterials at Nguyen Tat Thanh University in Vietnam. He received his Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of New South Wales in Australia and has worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of New South Wales in Sydney and Texas A&M University in Qatar. His research interests include Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, novel catalyst characterization, catalytic reforming and other clean fuel technologies. He has published nearly 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, 8 book chapters and 80 conference proceedings. He is the editor of several books for Elsevier, Springer and CRC Press as well as guest editor of Special Issues of the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Comptes Rendus Chimie, Arabian Journal of Chemistry, Waste and Biomass Valorization, SN Applied Sciences, Topics in Catalysis, Chemical Engineering & Technology, Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology and Frontiers in Energy Research.

Dr. Prakash K. Sarangi is a Scientist with specialization in Food Microbiology at the Central Agricultural University in India. He received his Ph.D. degree in Microbial Biotechnology from Ravenshaw University in India. His research focuses on bioprocess engineering, renewable energy, biochemicals, biomaterials and rural development. He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and 10 book chapters. He is the editor of several books for Springer, CRC Press and IK International Publishing House. He is a fellow of the Society for Applied Biotechnology, and a life member of the Biotech Research Society of India; Society for Biotechnologists of India; Association of Microbiologists of India; Orissa Botanical Society; Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Association of India; Indian Science Congress Association; Forum of Scientists, Engineers & Technologists; and International Association of Academicians and Researchers.