Biomass to Renewable Energy Processes

An introduction to fundamental principles and practical applications, this book explains the theories of biological processes, biomass materials and logistics, and conversion technologies for bioenergy products such as biogas, ethanol, butanol, biodiesel, and synthetic gases. It discusses anaerobic digestion of waste materials, bioethanol and biobutanol production from starch and cellulose, and biodiesel production from plant oils. The text also covers pretreatment technologies, enzymatic reactions, fermentation, and microbiological metabolisms and pathways. It explores the engineering principles of biomass gasification and pyrolysis and potential end-products.