Process Engineering of Biorefineries: Recent Results and New Research Vistas

Biomass conversion is a renewable alternative to produce fuels and chemicals. Development and optimization of biorefineries involves process engineering challenges at various scales, ranging from the chemistry of the conversion processes, to reactor and process design and optimization, and to enterpriselevel economic and supply chain analysis. In this article we discuss recent results in each of these levels, specifically, (a) complex thermochemical reaction network analysis using an in-house software, (b) process design and optimization for continuous production of chemicals (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) from biomass, and (c) supply chain optimization for biomass sourcing and facilities location in the midwestern US. Set in this context, we further discuss new research vistas at each level, and opportunities for advantages of integration of research tasks across multiple levels.