Production of Liquid Biofuels front Biomass: Emerging Technologies

This is an overview of the emerging technologies that have been developed recently or are in the process of development for ethanol (biofuel) production from agricultural residues. )n this direction numerous advances have been made. Problems associated with inhibitor generation and detoxification, fermentation of both hexoses and pentoses to ethanol, and development of efficient microbial strains have partially been addressed. Simultaneous product recovery and process consolidation and/or integration will further improve the economics of production of biofuels from biomass. It is emphasized that numerous domestic and international companies have initiated their programs to commer­ cia1ize conversion of biomass (agricultural residues) to biofuels. Separation and use of byproducts as additional sources of generating revenues can strengthen this fermentation further.