Biofuels, lignocellulosic biomass biorefinery

Cherubini F, Strpmman AH. (2011). Chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass opportunities, perspectives, and potential of biorefinery systems. Biofuels Bioprod Bioref. 5, 548-561. 

One can envisage the future production of liquid fuels and commodity chemicals in a biorefinery Biomass is first subjected to extraction to remove waxes and essential oils. Various options are possible for conversion of the remaining biofeedstock, which consists primarily of lignocellulose. It can be converted to synthesis gas (CO + H2) by gasification, for example, and subsequently to methanol. Alternatively, it can be subjected to hydrothermal upgrading (HTU), affording liquid biofuels from which known transport fuels and bulk chemicals can be produced. An appealing option is bioconversion to ethanol by fermentation. The ethanol can be used directly as a liquid fuel and/or converted to ethylene as a base chemical. Such a hiorefinery is depicted in Fig. 8.1. 

---