Biomass for Renewable Energy, Fuels, and Chemicals

Biomass for Renewable Energy, Fuels, and Chemicals serves as a comprehensive introduction to the subject for the student and educator, and is useful for researchers who are interested in the technical details of biomass energy production. The coverage and discussion are multidisciplinary, reflecting the many scientific and engineering disciplines involved. The book will appeal to a broad range of energy professionals and specialists, farmers and foresters who are searching for methods of selecting, growing, and converting energy crops, entrepreneurs who are commercializing biomass energy projects, and those involved in designing solid and liquid waste disposal-energy recovery systems.

Presents a graduated treatment from basic principles to the details of specific technologiesIncludes a critical analysis of many biomass energy research and commercialization activitiesProposes several new technical approaches to improve efficiencies, net energy production, and economicsReviews failed projects, as well as successes, and methods for overcoming barriers to commercializationWritten by a leader in the field with 40 years of educational, research, and commercialization experience

Preface. Energy Consumption, Reserves, Depletion, Environmental Issues. Biomass as an Energy Resource: Concept and Markets. Photosynthesis of Biomass and Its Conversion-Related Properties. Virgin Biomass Production. Waste Biomass Abundance, Energy Potential, and Availability. Physical Conversion Processes. Thermal Coversion: Combustion. Thermal Conversion: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction. Thermal Converstion: Gasification. Natural Biochemical Liquefaction. Synthetic Oxygenated Liquid Fuels. Microbial Conversion: Gasification. Organic Commodity Chemicals from Biomass. Integrated Biomass Production–Conversion Systems and Net Energy Production. Epilogue. Appendices. Subject Index.