Abstract
Biomass for fuels and chemicals remains a potentially viable option and opportunities for commercialization should be pursued. In the US, apart from the possible use of agricultural wastes, energy plantations of hybrid poplar could produce biomass yields of exploitable proportions.
The technologies and economics of biomass refining indicate that co-product credits are essential for commercial propositions. There are many processes using either enzymatic or acid hydrolysis for the conversion of wood cellulose with subsequent fermentation of the sugars to alcohol. There is also the possibility of producing other industrial chemicals such as acetic acid. The economics of biomass refining could hinge on the profitable sale of the lignin.
The paper discusses the prospects for renewable energy availability from wood and agriultural wastes, sucrose, wood refining, biogas, biomass refining and fermentation products.
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