Journal of Energy Bioscience 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 277-288 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 279 These thermochemical methods are advantageous due to their ability to handle diverse biomass types and produce multiple valuable products (Figure 1) (Chen et al., 2015; Das et al., 2021; Jha et al., 2022). 3.2 Biochemical processes Biochemical processes, including enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation, are essential for converting lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels. Enzymatic hydrolysis involves breaking down complex carbohydrates in biomass into simple sugars using specific enzymes. These sugars are then fermented by microorganisms to produce bioethanol and other biofuels. The efficiency of these processes depends on the pretreatment of biomass to enhance enzyme accessibility and the optimization of fermentation conditions (Osman et al., 2021). Anaerobic digestion is another biochemical process where microorganisms decompose organic matter in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas, primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide. This biogas can be upgraded to biomethane, a renewable substitute for natural gas (Lee et al., 2019). The integration of these biochemical processes with thermochemical methods can enhance overall process efficiency and yield (Osman et al., 2021). 3.3 Integrated biorefineries and process optimization Integrated biorefineries represent a holistic approach to biofuel production, combining multiple conversion technologies to maximize the utilization of biomass and minimize waste. These facilities integrate thermochemical and biochemical processes to produce a spectrum of biofuels and bioproducts. For instance, the co-pyrolysis of agricultural residues with nutrient-rich hydrochars can produce bio-oils with improved fuel properties and biochars suitable for soil amendments (Lin et al., 2021). Process optimization in integrated biorefineries involves fine-tuning operational parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and feedstock composition, to enhance product yields and quality. Advanced reactor designs, such as fluidized bed reactors, are employed for scalable and efficient biofuel production (Das et al., 2021). Life cycle assessment (LCA) is crucial in these settings to evaluate the environmental impacts and ensure the sustainability of biofuel production chains (Sikarwar et al., 2017; Osman et al., 2021). By leveraging integrated biorefineries and optimizing processes, the production of second-generation biofuels from agricultural waste and non-food parts can be significantly improved, contributing to energy security and environmental sustainability. Figure 1 Typical process representation of pyrolysis of biomass (Adopted from Jha et al., 2022)
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