Lignocellulosic Biorefinery Technologies: A Perception into Recent Advances in Biomass Fractionation, Biorefineries, Economic Hurdles and Market Outlook

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomasses (LCB) are sustainable and abundantly available feedstocks for the production of biofuel and biochemicals via suitable bioconversion processing. The main aim of this review is to focus on strategies needed for the progression of viable lignocellulosic biomass-based biorefineries (integrated approaches) to generate biofuels and biochemicals. Processing biomass in a sustainable manner is a major challenge that demands the accomplishment of basic requirements relating to cost effectiveness and environmental sustainability. The challenges associated with biomass availability and the bioconversion process have been explained in detail in this review. Limitations associated with biomass structural composition can obstruct the feasibility of biofuel production, especially in mono-process approaches. In such cases, biorefinery approaches and integrated systems certainly lead to improved biofuel conversion. This review paper provides a summary of mono and integrated approaches, their limitations and advantages in LCB bioconversion to biofuel and biochemicals.

Keywords

• lignocellulosic biomass
• fractionation
• biorefinery
• technoeconomic aspect
• commercialization