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A Review of Thermochemical Conversion of Waste Biomass to Biofuels

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  • Shivangi Jha

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada
    School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8, Canada)

  • Sonil Nanda

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada)

  • Bishnu Acharya

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada)

  • Ajay K. Dalai

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada)

Abstract

Biofuels are sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels because of their renewable and low-cost raw materials, environmentally friendly conversion technologies and low emissions upon combustion. In addition, biofuels can also be upgraded to enhance their fuel properties for wide applicability in power infrastructures. Biofuels can be produced from a wide variety of biomasses through thermochemical and biological conversion processes. This article provides insights into the fundamental and applied concepts of thermochemical conversion methods such as torrefaction, pyrolysis, liquefaction, gasification and transesterification. It is important to understand the physicochemical attributes of biomass resources to ascertain their potential for biofuel production. Hence, the composition and properties of different biomass resources such as lignocellulosic feedstocks, oilseed crops, municipal solid waste, food waste and animal manure have been discussed. The properties of different biofuels such as biochar, bio-oil, bio-crude oil, syngas and biodiesel have been described. The article concludes with an analysis of the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the thermochemical conversion technologies to understand their scale-up applications and commercialization.

Suggested Citation

  • Shivangi Jha & Sonil Nanda & Bishnu Acharya & Ajay K. Dalai, 2022. "A Review of Thermochemical Conversion of Waste Biomass to Biofuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-23, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:17:p:6352-:d:902829
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