Utilization of Bioresources: Towards Biomass Valorization for Biofuels

Abstract

Biomass valorization has recently gained wide attention owing to the vast availability of wastes from which essential oils can be extracted, processed, and subsequently converted to energy utilities and value-added products by taking advantage of the free fatty acid contents of the parent bio-oils. The waste materials undergo a conversion process to give the prospective fuels. The two major final products of the conversion process are bioethanol and biodiesel. Recent findings have also indicated the usefulness of these products as intermediate products/raw materials for end products such as simple sugars or biolubes; this goes further to emphasize the huge potential in these substrates (agricultural wastes) when used as raw materials. In 252recent times, hydrogen from biomass is being sought as a means of energy to power cars, and this also brings to bear the need to underscore how far efforts have been made to introduce bioethanol-driven cars. Fossil fuels, besides being nonbiodegradable relative to bio-oils, are gradually being depleted, with no measures put in place for their replacement. This then suggests the need to look beyond the current situation for viable alternatives. This chapter provides background information on biofuels, their production processes, and their physicochemical characterization, application, and sustainability, since the world is like a vicious circle that currently tilts in the direction of "engineering for a sustainable world". Furthermore, the chapter unveils some gray areas of research that still remain untapped, thus opening up doors for revenue generation.