Irradiation-assisted Direct Biomass Conversion Routes for Future Biorefineries: Mechanism, System Analysis, Product Distributions and Pathways

The demand for clean and renewable energy sources has prompted a surge in interest in the utilization of biomass as a feedstock for the manufacturing of fuel and chemicals. A potentially viable strategy involves the utilization of irradiation techniques for the direct conversion of unprocessed biomass into biofuels and high-value compounds. This book chapter presents a comprehensive examination of the existing body of research about biomass conversion methods, such as pyrolysis, saccharification and hydrolysis, utilizing irradiation. The introduction provides an overview of the reasons behind the pursuit of biomass conversion. These reasons include the plentiful and renewable nature of biomass resources, as well as the possibility for greater efficiency when compared to biochemical conversion methods. The subsequent section of the chapter delves into a comprehensive examination of diverse conversion processes that rely on irradiation, encompassing microwave, ultrasonic, gamma, electron beam irradiation, etc. The impacts of irradiation technique on biomass decomposition and product distributions are examined and analyzed. In conclusion, this study provides an overview of the process and the constraints associated with irradiation-assisted biomass conversion. It also highlights the areas that require further research in the future. In general, this book chapter presents a thorough and inclusive examination of the scientific and technological aspects related to the direct conversion of biomass by the utilization of irradiation.