Chapter 4 - Biochemical conversion of woody biomass to liquid biofuels

Abstract

Woody lignocellulosic biomass is identified as a promising feedstock for liquid biofuel production since it is available throughout the year at a low cost in addition to carbon negative emission capability and no scrutiny as a food source. However, using woody biomass incurs expensive and energy-intensive pretreatment and processing steps in fuel production. This chapter covers woody biomass processing through biochemical routes for liquid transportation fuels (bioethanol and biobutanol) and aviation fuel production. It includes sources of various hardwood and softwood species alongside their compositions. Available pretreatment and hydrolysis techniques and different biochemical conversion approaches are discussed. Lastly, this chapter critically analyzes different studies to identify their processing approaches and operating conditions used for liquid biofuel yield enhancement. It is seen that biochemical conversion fermentation is primarily used for bioethanol and biobutanol production, whereas various thermochemical conversion processes are dominated in bio-jet fuel production from woody biomass. This critical discussion can be helpful for future liquid biofuel production planning, scale-up, and energy policy preparation.