Second and Third Generation of Feedstocks

Second and Third Generation of Feedstocks: The Evolution of Biofuels presents a critical analysis of both the applications and potential of bioenergy production from second and third generation feedstocks. The book illustrates different aspects of the processes used for the production of biofuels, dealing specifically with second and third generation feedstocks from biomass and algae. The pretreatment of feedstocks and optimization of various forms of bioenergy are considered, along with the economic aspects of the various processes. In the last few years, industrial research efforts have focused on low cost, large-scale processing for lignocellulosic feedstocks originating from agricultural residues and municipal wastes for bioenergy production. This book shares an insight into the recent developments taking place in this industry, exploring transformation processes as well as biomass and algae conversions.

• Reviews existing lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks and their sources
• Includes processes for the conversion of various feedstocks to biofuels
• Discusses current research findings on second and third generation feedstocks
• Describes processes involved in the transformation of algal biomass into biofuels

Key reference text for R&D in academia and industry interested in biofuels technologies and processes: Energy producers, Bio-Engineering Companies, Bio-Process Engineering, Bio-Chemical Plants

Part I: From simple sugars to biofuels: The evolution of biotechnology
1. From sugars to ethanol - from the agricultural wastes to algal sources: An overview
2. First-generation feedstock for bioenergy production
3. From substrate to biofuel in the acetone-butanol-ethanol process
4. Biobutanol versus bioethanol in the acetone-butanol-ethanol technology - A chemical and economical overview

Part II: Second generation feedstocks
5. Biofuels from agricultural wastes
6. Physical and chemical pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass
7. Biological pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomasses - Current trends and future perspectives
8. Hydrolysis: From cellulose and hemicellulose to simple sugars
9. Fermentation processes for second-generation biofuels
10. Evaluation and comparison between simultaneous saccharification and fermentation and separated hydrolysis and fermentation process
11. Physical properties and chemical composition of biofuels

Part III: Third generation feedstocks
12. Algae for biofuels: The third generation of feedstock
13. Thermochemical conversion of microalgal biomass
14. Algal cultivation for biofuel production
15. Anaerobic digestion of microalgae for biomethane production
16. Photobiological biohydrogen production
17. Transesterification of microalgae for biodiesel production 

Part IV -  Economical assestments and future trends
18. Coal versus biofuels. A social and economic assessment
19. An overview of current trends and future scope for vegetable oil-based sustainable alternative fuels for compression ignition engines
20. The fourth generation of biofuel