Bio-based chemicals from biorefining: carbohydrate conversion and utilisation

K. Wilson*, A.F. Lee

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract

The quest for sustainable sources of fuels and chemicals to meet the demands of a rapidly rising global population represents one of this century's grand challenges. Biomass offers the most readily implemented, and low cost, solution for transportation fuels, and the only non-petroleum route to organic molecules for the manufacture of bulk, fine and speciality chemicals and polymers. Chemical processing of such biomass-derived building blocks requires catalysts compatible with hydrophilic, bulky substrates to facilitate the selective deoxygenation of highly functional bio-molecules to their target products. This chapter addresses the challenges associated with carbohydrate utilisation as a sustainable feedstock, highlighting innovations in catalyst and process design that are needed to deliver high-value chemicals from biomass-derived building blocks.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in biorefineries
Subtitle of host publicationbiomass and waste supply chain exploitation
EditorsKeith W. Waldron
Place of PublicationWaltham, MA (US)
PublisherWoodhead
Pages624-658
Number of pages35
ISBN (Electronic)978-0-85709-738-5
ISBN (Print)978-0-85709-521-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Apr 2014

Publication series

NameWoodhead publishing series in energy
PublisherWoodhead
Number53

Keywords

  • Biofuels
  • Heterogeneous catalysis
  • Lignocellulose
  • Platform chemicals
  • Porous materials

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