Handbook of Bioethanol Fuels: Production and Utilization

Bioethanol is a renewable fuel produced from biomass, and this book covers the production, utilization, and evaluation of bioethanol fuels from various feedstocks, using an interdisciplinary approach.

Format: Multiple-component retail product
Length: 2512 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Bioethanol, a renewable and sustainable fuel derived from biomass, has gained significant attention in recent years as a potential alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Its production involves an interdisciplinary approach that encompasses science, technology, environment, and social sciences, focusing on both the production and utilization of bioethanol fuels. This comprehensive approach ensures a holistic understanding of the entire bioethanol lifecycle, from the initial sourcing of biomass materials to the final conversion of these materials into fuel.

One of the key aspects of bioethanol production is the pretreatment of biomass. This process involves various techniques to enhance the efficiency of hydrolysis, the breakdown of biomass into its constituent sugars. These pretreatments can include physical, chemical, or biological methods, such as grinding, heating, and enzymatic degradation. The choice of pretreatment method depends on the type of biomass being utilized and the desired end product.

Hydrolysis is the first step in bioethanol production, where biomass is broken down into its sugars. This process is typically carried out in a water-based solution, using enzymes or microorganisms to catalyze the reaction. The resulting sugars, primarily glucose and xylose, are then fermented into ethanol. Fermentation is a biological process where yeast or other microorganisms convert the sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide. The fermentation process can be optimized using various techniques, such as temperature control, nutrient addition, and yeast strain selection.

After fermentation, the ethanol is separated from the remaining biomass components, such as yeast and organic acids. This separation process is crucial to ensure the purity and quality of the final bioethanol product. Various separation techniques, such as distillation, centrifugation, and adsorption, can be employed to achieve this goal.

Feedstock-based bioethanol fuel production is another important aspect of bioethanol production. This method involves the conversion of agricultural waste, such as corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, and wheat straw, into bioethanol. These feedstocks are often considered renewable and can be grown on a large scale, making them an attractive alternative to fossil fuels.

Feedstock-based bioethanol fuel production involves several steps, including pretreatment, hydrolysis, fermentation, and fuel separation. Pretreatment is essential to optimize the conversion of the feedstock into sugars. Hydrolysis is then used to convert the sugars into ethanol, followed by fermentation and fuel separation to produce the final bioethanol product.

The utilization and evaluation of bioethanol fuels are also critical aspects of the bioethanol industry. Bioethanol can be used as a gasoline additive to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions. It can also be blended with gasoline to create a higher-octane fuel, which is particularly useful in diesel engines. Bioethanol can also be used as a renewable energy source in various applications, such as heating and electricity generation.

In conclusion, bioethanol is a renewable and sustainable fuel derived from biomass. Its production involves an interdisciplinary approach that covers science, technology, environment, and social sciences. Pretreatment of biomass, hydrolysis, fermentation, fuel separation, and feedstock-based bioethanol fuel production are key aspects of bioethanol production. The utilization and evaluation of bioethanol fuels are also critical aspects of the bioethanol industry, with bioethanol being used as a gasoline additive, renewable energy source, and fuel blend. As the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, bioethanol is expected to play an increasingly important role in meeting our energy needs while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

Weight: 4810g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032127460