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Sustainable Biotechnology pp 19–41Cite as

Biofuels from Lignocellulosic Biomass

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Abstract

Biomass feedstock, which is mainly lignocellulose, has considerable potential to contribute to the future production of biofuels and to the mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions. Several challenges exist in the production, harvesting, and conversion aspects of lignocellulose, and these must be resolved in order to reach economic viability. A broad array of research projects are underway to address the technical hurdles, however, additional research may be required to reach commercial sustainability. Gasification and enzymatic hydrolysis are the main technologies being investigated for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into material for the production of biofuels. While each approach has pros and cons, both are being explored to determine the optimum potential commercial method for particular feedstock situations, and to better understand the requirements for the massive scale required to contribute to biofuel volume.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA

    Xiaorong Wu & Donghai Wang

  2. StrathKirn Inc., Chesterfield, MO, 63017, USA

    James McLaren

  3. Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA

    Ron Madl

Authors
  1. Xiaorong Wu
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  2. James McLaren
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  3. Ron Madl
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  4. Donghai Wang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Donghai Wang .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bradford, 16704, U.S.A.

    Om V. Singh

  2. Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, US Army Medical Research, Blackhawk Road 5183, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 21010-5424, U.S.A.

    Steven P. Harvey

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Wu, X., McLaren, J., Madl, R., Wang, D. (2010). Biofuels from Lignocellulosic Biomass. In: Singh, O., Harvey, S. (eds) Sustainable Biotechnology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3295-9_2

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