Second and Third Generation of Feedstocks: The Evolution of Biofuels

Second and Third Generation of Feedstocks: The Evolution of Biofuels presents a critical analysis of both the applications and potential of bioenergy production from second and third generation feedstocks. The book illustrates different aspects of the processes used for the production of biofuels, dealing specifically with second and third generation feedstocks from biomass and algae. The pretreatment of feedstocks and optimization of various forms of bioenergy are considered, along with the economic aspects of the various processes. In the last few years, industrial research efforts have focused on low cost, large-scale processing for lignocellulosic feedstocks originating from agricultural residues and municipal wastes for bioenergy production. This book shares an insight into the recent developments taking place in this industry, exploring transformation processes as well as biomass and algae conversions.

Reviews existing lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks and their sourcesIncludes processes for the conversion of various feedstocks to biofuelsDiscusses current research findings on second and third generation feedstocksDescribes processes involved in the transformation of algal biomass into biofuels

Part I: From simple sugars to biofuels: The evolution of biotechnology 1. From sugars to ethanol - from the agricultural wastes to algal sources: An overview 2. First-generation feedstock for bioenergy production 3. From substrate to biofuel in the acetone-butanol-ethanol process 4. Biobutanol versus bioethanol in the acetone-butanol-ethanol technology - A chemical and economical overview

Part II: Second generation feedstocks 5. Biofuels from agricultural wastes 6. Physical and chemical pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass 7. Biological pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomasses - Current trends and future perspectives 8. Hydrolysis: From cellulose and hemicellulose to simple sugars 9. Fermentation processes for second-generation biofuels 10. Evaluation and comparison between simultaneous saccharification and fermentation and separated hydrolysis and fermentation process 11. Physical properties and chemical composition of biofuels

Part III: Third generation feedstocks 12. Algae for biofuels: The third generation of feedstock 13. Thermochemical conversion of microalgal biomass 14. Algal cultivation for biofuel production 15. Anaerobic digestion of microalgae for biomethane production 16. Photobiological biohydrogen production 17. Transesterification of microalgae for biodiesel production 

Part IV -  Economical assestments and future trends 18. Coal versus biofuels. A social and economic assessment 19. An overview of current trends and future scope for vegetable oil-based sustainable alternative fuels for compression ignition engines 20. The fourth generation of biofuel