Novel Feedstocks for Biofuels Production

This book critically evaluates recently investigated feedstock for biofuels production, discussing environmental concerns, food vs fuel debate, energy security, economic feasibility, and availability. It explores a wide range of potential biofuels feedstock, their functional concepts, recent advancements, novel techniques, and critical evaluation with other available biofuel feedstock. It also discusses future prospects of biofuel production and is a useful resource for students, researchers, faculty, industry, and policy makers in the biofuel field.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

The biofuel sector is experiencing a rapid transformation in response to the growing demand for renewable energy sources. Researchers are actively exploring novel and advanced feedstock to assess their techno-economic feasibility. Several key factors, including environmental concerns, the food vs. fuel debate, energy security, economic viability, and availability, drive the exploration of diverse feedstock for biofuel production. This comprehensive book delves into a diverse array of potential biofuels feedstock, their functional concepts, recent advancements, innovative techniques, and a critical evaluation of their performance compared to other available biofuel feedstock. Furthermore, it examines the future prospects of biofuel production, providing valuable insights for students, researchers, faculty, industry professionals, and policy makers in the biofuel field.

Environmental concerns:
The growing demand for energy and the finite nature of fossil fuel resources have led to increased scrutiny of the environmental impact of biofuel production. Biofuels are often touted as a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, but concerns have been raised about their potential greenhouse gas emissions, land use requirements, and water consumption. Researchers are working to address these concerns by developing feedstock that have a lower environmental footprint, such as algae, waste biomass, and agricultural residues.

Food vs. fuel debate:
The debate over whether food crops should be used for biofuel production has been a contentious one. On the one hand, biofuels can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. On the other hand, using food crops for biofuel can lead to food shortages, increased food prices, and displacement of farmers. Researchers are exploring ways to balance the demand for biofuels with the need for food security, such as using non-food crops or optimizing the use of food waste.

Energy security:
Energy security is a critical concern for many countries, particularly those that rely on imported fossil fuels. Biofuels can help reduce dependence on imported fuels and improve energy independence. However, the availability and cost of feedstock can impact the economic feasibility of biofuel production. Researchers are working to develop cost-effective and sustainable feedstock sources, such as algae, waste biomass, and agricultural residues.

Economic feasibility:
The economic viability of biofuel production is a key consideration for policymakers and industry stakeholders. The cost of feedstock, processing, and transportation must be balanced with the market price of biofuels. Researchers are working to improve the efficiency of biofuel production processes and develop cost-effective technologies to reduce the overall cost of biofuels.

Availability of feedstock:
The availability of feedstock is a critical factor in the development of biofuel production. Different regions have different resources and constraints, which can impact the feasibility of biofuel production. Researchers are exploring ways to optimize the use of available resources and develop innovative technologies to overcome feedstock limitations.

Future prospects of biofuel production:
The future prospects of biofuel production are promising, with significant advancements being made in the field. Researchers are exploring new feedstock sources, such as algae, waste biomass, and agricultural residues, and developing innovative technologies to improve the efficiency and sustainability of biofuel production. Additionally, there is growing interest in developing biofuels that can be used in transportation, such as biodiesel and ethanol, which have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.

In conclusion, the biofuel sector is rapidly evolving to meet the growing demand for renewable energy sources. Novel and advanced feedstock are being investigated to assess their techno-economic feasibility and address environmental concerns, food vs. fuel debate, energy security, economic viability, and availability. This comprehensive book explores a wide range of potential biofuels feedstock, their functional concepts, recent advancements, innovative techniques, and critical evaluation with other available biofuel feedstock. It also examines the future prospects of biofuel production, providing valuable insights for students, researchers, faculty, industry professionals, and policy makers in the biofuel field. As the biofuel sector continues to evolve, it is important to ensure that the development of biofuels is sustainable, cost-effective, and socially responsible.

Weight: 740g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811935817
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022