The perception that civilization is crossing a period of Global Climatic Changes that can seriously threaten our lifestyle, along with energy security and the search for prosperity, are the main drivers that are pushing men to use more biomass as a source of energy. It will be crucial that such intent will include a large parcel of sustainability so that more renewable energy becomes available for populations. Because large amounts of energy are “hidden” in carbon polymers made by plants, notably carbohydrates, it is obvious that if technologies are developed to produce liquid fuels such as ethanol from carbohydrate polymers such as cellulose, men could significantly increase energy sustainability . This book reviews general aspects of biomass utilization for bioenergy production as well as strategies using biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry and physics to disassemble plant cell walls. Recent discoveries of basic science under development in several laboratories in the world are reviewed by experts that have been intensively working with many aspects that will impact the development of the technology of production of cellulosic ethanol.

Comprehensive coverage on the growing science and technologyof producing ethanol from the world's abundant cellulosicbiomass The inevitable decline in petroleum reserves and its impact ongasoline prices, combined with climate change concerns, havecontributed to current interest in renewable fuels. Bioethanol isthe most successful renewable transport fuel—with corn andsugarcane ethanol currently in wide use as blend-in fuels in theUnited States, Brazil, and a few other countries. However, thereare a number of major drawbacks in these first-generation biofuels,such as their effect on food prices, net energy balance, and poorgreenhouse gas mitigation. Alternatively, cellulosic ethanol can beproduced from abundant lignocellulosic biomass forms such asagricultural or municipal wastes, forest residues, fast growingtrees, or grasses grown in marginal lands, and should be produciblein substantial amounts to meet growing global energy demand. The Handbook of Cellulosic Ethanol covers all aspects ofthis new and vital alternative fuel source, providing readers withthe background, scientific theory, and recent research progress inproducing cellulosic ethanol via different biochemical routes, aswell as future directions. The seventeen chapters includeinformation on: Advantages of cellulosic ethanol over first-generation ethanolas a transportation fuel Various biomass feedstocks that can be used to make cellulosicethanol Details of the aqueous phase or cellulolysis route,pretreatment, enzyme or acid saccharification, fermentation,simultaneous saccharification fermentation, consolidatedbioprocessing, genetically modified microorganisms, and yeasts Details of the syngas fermentation or thermochemical route,gasifiers, syngas cleaning, microorganisms for syngas fermentation,and chemical catalysts for syngas-to-ethanol conversion Distillation and dehydration to fuel-grade ethanol Techno-economical aspects and the future of cellulosicethanol Readership Chemical engineers, chemists, and technicians working onrenewable energy and fuels in industry, research institutions, anduniversities. The Handbook can also be used by studentsinterested in biofuels and renewable energy issues.

Bioethanol has been recognized as a potential alternative to petroleum-derived transportation fuels. Even if cellulosic biomass is less expensive than corn and sugarcane, the higher costs for its conversion make the near-term price of cellulosic ethanol higher than that of corn ethanol and even more than that of sugarcane ethanol. Conventional process for bioethanol production from lignocellulose includes a chemical/physical pre-treatment of lignocellulose for lignin removal, mostly based on auto hydrolysis and acid hydrolysis, followed by saccharification of the free accessible cellulose portions of the biomass. The highest yields of fermentable sugars from cellulose portion are achieved by means of enzymatic hydrolysis, currently carried out using a mix of cellulases from the fungus Trichoderma reesei. Reduction of (hemi)cellulases production costs is strongly required to increase competitiveness of second generation bioethanol production. The final step is the fermentation of sugars obtained from saccharification, typically performed by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The current process is optimized for 6-carbon sugars fermentation, since most of yeasts cannot ferment 5-carbon sugars. Thus, research is aimed at exploring new engineered yeasts abilities to co-ferment 5- and 6-carbon sugars. Among the main routes to advance cellulosic ethanol, consolidate bio-processing, namely direct conversion of biomass into ethanol by a genetically modified microbes, holds tremendous potential to reduce ethanol production costs. Finally, the use of all the components of lignocellulose to produce a large spectra of biobased products is another challenge for further improving competitiveness of second generation bioethanol production, developing a biorefinery.

The global fine and speciality chemicals industry is a vital segment within the chemical value chain, catering to a multitude of societal and industrial needs. Regulatory, sustainability and consumer forces have been constantly shaping the business fundamentals of this industry. Developing value creation strategies, which embed economic, environmental and social sustainability components, will need a comprehensive assessment of business, scientific and technological challenges facing the industry. Sustainable Value Creation in the Fine and Speciality Chemicals Industry assesses sustainable value creation options against the backdrop of global mega trends that are defi ning the present and future course of the industry. It discusses innovative strategies in feedstocks, R&D, technology, manufacturing, resource management and the supply chain as well as the significance of the bio-based chemical economy in enabling sustainable value creation in the fine and speciality chemicals industry. Topics covered include: • Transformation in the fine and speciality chemicals business • Sustainable management: evolution, transitions and tools • Research and technology directions • Resource optimization strategies • Bio-based chemicals, specialities and polymers • Sustainable practices in the fine and speciality chemicals industry • Sustainable value creation strategies Sustainable Value Creation in the Fine and Speciality Chemicals Industry presents a comprehensive overview of strategic options for sustainability management in the global fine and speciality chemicals industry. It will be a valuable resource for chemists and chemical engineers involved in the design and development of economically, environmentally and socially sustainable practices for the future.

In response to the global increase in the use of biofuels as substitute transportation fuels, advanced chemical, biochemical and thermochemical biofuels production routes are fast being developed.Research and development in this field is aimed at improving the quality and environmental impact of biofuels production, as well as the overall efficiency and output of biofuels production plants. The range of biofuels has also increased to supplement bioethanol and biodiesel production, with market developments leading to the increased production and utilisation of such biofuels as biosyngas, biohydrogen and biobutanol, among others.Handbook of biofuels production provides a comprehensive and systematic reference on the range of biomass conversion processes and technology. Part one reviews the key issues in the biofuels production chain, including feedstocks, sustainability assessment and policy development.Part two reviews chemical and biochemical conversion and in turn Part three reviews thermal and thermo-chemical conversion, with both sections detailing the wide range of processes and technologies applicable to the production of first, second and third generation biofuels. Finally, Part four reviews developments in the integration of biofuels production, including biorefineries and by-product valorisation, as well as the utilisation of biofuels in diesel engines.With its distinguished international team of contributors, Handbook of biofuels production is a standard reference for biofuels production engineers, industrial chemists and biochemists, plant scientists, academics and researchers in this area. - A comprehensive and systematic reference on the range of biomass conversion processes and technologies - Addresses the key issues in the biofuels production chain, including feedstocks, sustainability assessment and policy development - Reviews chemical and bio-chemical conversion techniques as well as thermal and thermo-chemical conversion, detailing the range of processes and technologies applicable to biofuels production

The second part of Bioenergy: Principles and Technologies continues the discussion of biomass energy technologies covering fuel ethanol production, pyrolysis, biomass-based hydrogen production and fuel synthesis, biodiesel, municipal solid water treatment and microbial fuel cells. With a combination of theories, experiments and case studies, it is an essential reference for bioenergy researchers, industrial chemists and chemical engineers.

This second volume in the Advances in Biofeedstocks and Biofuels series focuses on the latest and most up-to-date technologies and processes involved in the production of biofuels. Biofuels production is one of the most extensively studied fields in the energy sector that can provide an alternative energy source and bring the energy industry closer to sustainability. Biomass-based fuel production, or renewable fuels, are becoming increasingly important as a potential solution for man-made climate change, depleted oil reserves, and the dangers involved with hydraulic fracturing (or "fracking"). The price of oil will always be volatile and changeable, and, as long as industry and private citizens around the world need energy, there will be a need for alternative energy sources. The area known as "biofuels and biofeedstocks" is one of the most important and quickly growing pieces of the "energy pie." Biofuels and biofeedstocks are constantly changing, and new processes are constantly being created, changed, and improved upon. The area is rapidly changing and always innovative. It is important, therefore, that books like the volumes in this series are published and the information widely disseminated to keep the industry informed of the state-of-the-art. This second volume in the Advances in Biofeedstocks and Biofuels series focuses on the production of biofuel, covering all of the major biofuels, such as biodiesel, biohydrogen, bioethanol, and others. This engaging text touches on all of the most important new processes and technologies, providing the most up-to-date coverage of the science available to industry. It is a must-have for any engineer or scientist working with biofuel technology.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) could alleviate the nation's dependence on oil and reduce U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide, the major greenhouse gas. Industry-and government-sponsored research programs have made very impressive technical progress over the past several years, and several companies are currently introducing pre-commercial vehicles and hydrogen fueling stations in limited markets. However, to achieve wide hydrogen vehicle penetration, further technological advances are required for commercial viability, and vehicle manufacturer and hydrogen supplier activities must be coordinated. In particular, costs must be reduced, new automotive manufacturing technologies commercialized, and adequate supplies of hydrogen produced and made available to motorists. These efforts will require considerable resources, especially federal and private sector funding. This book estimates the resources that will be needed to bring HFCVs to the point of competitive self-sustainability in the marketplace. It also estimates the impact on oil consumption and carbon dioxide emissions as HFCVs become a large fraction of the light-duty vehicle fleet.