This book describes for first time the synthesis and intensified process design in the production of top biofuels. The production of biofuels is not new. In 2019, global biofuel production levels reached 1,841 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day, in stark comparison to the 187 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day that was produced in 2000. Growth has largely been driven by policies that encourage the use and production of biofuels due to the perception that it could provide energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in relevant sectors. From a technical point of view, almost all fuels from fossil resources could be substituted by their bio-based counterparts. However, the cost of bio-based production in many cases exceeds the cost of petrochemical production. Also, biofuels must be proven to perform at least as good as the petrochemical equivalent they are substituting and to have a lower environmental impact. The low price of crude oil acted as a barrier to biofuels production and producers focussed on the specific attributes of biofuels such as their complex structure to justify production costs. Also, the consumer demand for environmentally friendly products, population growth and limited supplies of non-renewable resources has now opened new windows of opportunity for biofuels. The industry is increasingly viewing chemical production from renewable resources as an attractive area for investment. This book uniquely introduces the application of new process intensification techniques that will allow the generation of clean, efficient and economical processes for biofuels in a competitive way in the market.

Improvements in Bio-Based Building Blocks Production Through Process Intensification and Sustainability Concepts discusses new information on the production and cost of bio-based building blocks. From a technical point-of-view, almost all industrial materials made from fossil resources can be substituted using bio-based counterparts. However, the cost of bio-based production in many cases exceeds the cost of petrochemical production. In addition, new products must be proven to perform at least as good as their petrochemical equivalents, have a lower environmental impact, meet consumer demand for environmentally-friendly products, factor in population growth, and account for limited supplies of non-renewables. This book outlines the application of process intensification techniques which allow for the generation of clean, efficient and economical processes for bio-based chemical blocks production.

Advances and Developments in Biobutanol Production is a comprehensive reference on the production and purification of biobutanol, from the fundamentals to the latest advances. Focusing on selection of biomass, choice of pretreatments, biochemistry and design of fermentation, purification and biofuel application, the book also provides details on biorefinery design, lifecycle analysis, and offers perspectives on future developments. Through detailed analysis, chapters show readers how to overcome the challenges associated with the correct selection of raw material and adequate biomass pretreatment, the selection of microorganisms for fermenting biomass sugars, the purification of effluent coming from fermentation, and the high energy demands of production. Solutions are supported by step-by-step guidance on methodologies and processes, with lab and industry-scale case studies providing real-world examples of their implementation. This book provides readers with a unique and comprehensive reference on the production of biobutanol for biofuel that will be of interest to graduates, researchers and professionals involved in bioenergy and renewable energy.