Conceptual to Technological Reality: Biorefineries Using Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Assessment Models

The key component of biorefinery is the valorization of feedstock such as lignocellulosic wastes and algal biomass into biobased products and bioenergy through the incorporation of relevant conversion technologies. Advances in biorefineries prioritize sustainable bioproduction and emphasize increased attention to the circular economy with prominence on the economic, environmental, and social aspects of commercial industrial biorefineries. This chapter focuses on techno-economic assessment (TEA) for cost evaluation and life cycle assessment (LCA) strategies for measuring environmental impact. It addresses the influence of these techniques on different pathways for conversion of biomasses and different methodologies highlighting the complexity of the production process. The recent global scenario for both TEA and LCA in biorefineries to produce biobased products is also explored in this chapter. Despite the increased implementation of TEA and LCA for process assessment, there are still numerous challenges associated with their success. The chapter addresses these challenges in length as well as sheds light on collaboration with artificial intelligence and other cyber techniques. This chapter provides the latest insight and their advancement for biorefineries as well as future outlooks towards overcoming challenges in the implementation of assessment techniques.