Chapter 3: Perspectives on Process Analysis for Advanced Biofuel Production

Numerous approaches to converting lignocellulosic biomass to fuels have been described in the literature. These include technologies to produce ethanol, butanol, biodiesel, lipid-based fuel, aerobic bioprocesses for hydrocarbons, Fischer-Tropsch diesel, upgraded pyrolysis oil, and other methods. The sheer number of conversion technologies and products creates a challenge for policy makers, research organizations, and investors to make sound decisions for how to allocate resources. Fortunately, there are tools available to aid decision-makers when contemplating the tradeoffs that biomass conversion technologies offer, including feasibility studies, social and life-cycle cost-benefit analysis, financial analysis, and techno-economic analysis. This chapter focuses on the engineering aspects of such analyses and how process analysis can reveal the pros and cons of different biomass-to-hydrocarbon fuel technologies.