Biomass and Biofuels

Biomass refers to plant and plant-based materials that do not have application as food or feed, but are used for the generation of energy through combustion or via conversion into different forms of biofuel. It is considered a renewable source of energy. The conversion of biomass into biofuel is achieved by various chemical, biochemical and thermal methods. Some of the chemical constituents of biomass are cellulose, hemicellulose and lignins. Biofuels are derived from domestic, agricultural, commercial and industrial wastes. These can be solid, liquid or gaseous. Some examples are bioethanol, biodiesel, syngas, ethanol fuels, etc. Some of the diverse topics covered in this book address the varied aspects of biomass and biofuels. It elucidates new production techniques and their applications in a multidisciplinary approach. For someone with an interest and eye for detail, this book covers the most significant topics in this field.