Waste Biorefinery Technologies for Sustainable Development

Waste Biorefinery Technologies for Sustainable Development: Volume 1: Thermochemical Processes deals with the intersection of circular economy principles and biorefinery innovation, exploring how biorefineries can play a central role in closing the loop of resource use and promoting sustainable development. Through a comprehensive examination of circular economy concepts and biorefinery technologies, it illustrates how waste streams can be valorized and transformed into valuable products through efficient and sustainable processes. From organic wastes to agricultural residues and industrial by-products, it covers how diverse biomass feedstocks can be utilised within circular biorefinery systems to produce bioenergy, biochemicals, biomaterials, and bioplastics. The volumes cover the basic components of biorefineries and various approaches required for the valorization of versatile feedstocks which make an indispensable resource for (under)graduate students. The discussion of role of biorefineries in addressing global challenges such as climate change and resource depletion, current research trends, and future directions offers valuable guidance for researchers seeking to deepen their understanding and identify opportunities for further investigation. Volume 1 of this two-volume set deals with thermochemical processes, and includes an introduction to circular biorefinery, biomass preparation & pretreatment, and thermochemical routes for converting biomass into bioproducts and biofuels.

• Covers biomass preprocessing and pretreatment, thermochemical conversion routes, and biochemical conversion routes
• Addresses circular bioeconomy principles and lifecycle assessments
• Discusses challenges and opportunities in biorefineries

Dr. Ponnusami is at present working as Associate Dean in the School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, India. He did the doctoral research on textile effluent treatment at SASTRA Deemed University, India. His post-doctoral research includes wastewater treatment by physico-chemical treatments, lignocellulose degradation, bioprocessing for the production of enzymes and microbial polysaccharides, and biodiesel production. Towards achieving the goals of sustainable development his team is exploring the uses of green methods in biorefining of biomass. In particular, bioconversion of biomass into microbial exopolysaccharides such as levan, xantham gum, dextran, cellulose that are suitable for food and medical treatments are investigated. As far as renewable fuels are concerned we mainly work on process development for biodiesel and bioethanol from various agricultural and industrial waste products. The group is interested in developing chemical and biocatalysts for above-mentioned conversion processes. Prof. Ponnusami is included in the list of top 2% highly cited researchers’ published by Elsevier, consecutively for the past two years (2021 and 2022).

Prof. Xu is currently Chair Professor of Advanced Biorefinery and Director of Advanced Biorefinery Laboratory (ABL) at School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong. He is a Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering (FCAE) and Fellow of Engineering Institute of Canada (FEIC). He was a professor, the NSERC/FPInnovations Industrial Research Chair in Forest Biorefinery, and Associate Director of the Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources (ICFAR) at Western University. He has over 20 years of research experience in conversion of biomass and organic solid wastes (forestry/agricultural residues, food wastes, wastewater sludge, microalgae, lignin, glycerol and sugars, etc.) into biofuels (sustainable aviation fuels, green hydrogen) and green chemicals and biopolymer materials. He has authored/edited 3 books on biorefinery, and published 20+ book chapters and 370+ papers in peer-reviewed journals. According to Google Scholar, his work has received nearly 25,000 total citations with an H-index of 82 to date. With 12 PCT/US/Canadian/Chinese Patents issued, Dr. Xu has made outstanding contributions to applied science and engineering practice. He is the recipient of the 2011 Syncrude Canada Innovation Award and the 2019 Award in Design and Industrial Practice from Canadian Society of Chemical Engineering, and the 2023 Humboldt Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Dr. Saravanan Ramiah Shanmugam is currently working as Assistant Research Professor in Biosystems Engineering Department at Auburn University, Alabama, USA. He has previously worked as a DST Inspire Faculty in the School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, India. His primary research interests focus on the creation value from wastes. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He has worked as an Associate Scientist in AgraCity Crop & Nutrition Ltd., Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada. He has published more than 33 research articles in peer-reviewed International Journals, filed for 4 provisional patents (3 from India and 1 from U.S.), 5 book chapters and 1 book as an Editor in Elsevier.

Dr Kiran Babu Uppuluri is currently working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur. His group is working on the development, modelling, optimization, and intensification of bioprocesses for various biochemicals such as biofuels, therapeutic enzymes, and biopolymers. His current research interest lies in the Biomass-Biorefinery for circular economy. He published 45 SCI papers & 2 Patents, guided 4 PhD scholars and edited 3 books in the area of Biomass-Biorefinery.

Dr. Noori Saady is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Memorial University, Canada. He specializes in converting organic waste into biofuel, bioenergy, and value-added by-products, using biotechnologies such as anaerobic digestion and microbial fuel cells. He received two NSERC Postdoctoral awards and gained valuable experience at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. Dr. Saady has published over 35 research articles, two book chapters, and presented at numerous national and international conferences. His research is funded by NSERC and the Canadian Agriculture Partnership Program. He has also served as Editor-in-Chief and handling editor for various scientific journals.