Next Generation Biofuel Conversion Processes and Biomass Sources

The realization of a sustainable circular economy is a possibility that can be achieved by the transformation of lignocellulosic and other organic biomass into fuels, hydrocarbons and biomolecules through the use of biological and thermochemical methods. The biological and thermochemical methods transform solid biomass into a variety of liquid and gaseous biofuels. These processes and methods are highly effective in production of numerous bioproducts, including fuels and chemicals, providing a profitable production scheme to the industrial process. This chapter provides an overview description of biomass sources, biomass composition, technologies and various processes involved in biofuels, feed additives and food materials. The main significant conversion processes commonly used for production of biofuels and biochemicals from different biomass are included. To summarize the key points, biofuels are a potential alternative to fossil fuels, although each process has still certain drawbacks, but cheap waste biomass and combination of advance refinery processes can provide a future optimism. Thus for next generation biofuel, further research is vital to explore new technologies, application of synthetic biology, and utilization of algae for biofuels, could decrease production costs and energy for sustainable future.