Chapter 3 - Sources of lignocellulosic biomass

Abstract

Sources of lignocellulosic biomass are presented in this chapter. Biomass resources can be categorized into wood product industry wastes, municipal solid waste (MSW), agro-residues and dedicated energy crops (non-food crops grown on land not fit for traditional crops such as corn and soybeans specially to provide biomass). Fast growing short rotation forest trees are playing a significant role as a raw material for production of bioenergy. Sources of woody raw materials include leftover material in natural forest, forestry wastes like wood chips and branches from dead trees, sawdust from sawmills and cultivated short rotation energy forest plantations using many faster growing trees.