Anaerobic biotechnology for bioenergy production

Technological advances have improved the quality of life throughout the 20th Century. Although we have been quick to enjoy the benefits of our technological prowess, we have been slow to acknowledge its negative consequences. Increasingly, we are forced to confront these negative consequences: climate change, increased global demand for energy, growing energy insecurity, and continuous exploitation of limited natural resources. World energy demand is expected to grow by as much as 50 percent by 2025, mainly due to increasing demand from rapidly growing Asian countries such as China and India. Sustainability must be the foundation for economic growth in the 21st century. We need to re-direct our efforts toward bioenergy production from renewable, low cost and locally available feedstocks such as biowastes and agri-residues. Such efforts will not only alleviate environmental pollution, but also reduce energy insecurity and demand for declining natural resources. The most cost-effective and sustainable approach is to employ a biotechnology option. Anaerobic biotechnology is a sustainable technology that generates renewable bioenergy and biofuels and helps us achieve our environmental and energy objectives. Information on this subject is limited, and this textbook will be a first reference for both undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, instructors, consulting engineers, and others interested in bioenergy. The book is intended to be a useful resource to both engineering and science students in agricultural, biological, chemical and environmental engineering, renewable energy, and bioresource technology. The book does not assume a previous background in anaerobic biotechnology, although most readers should have a good working knowledge of science or engineering. The first six chapters cover the fundamental aspects of anaerobic processes. The remaining six chapters focus on applications with an emphasis on bioenergy production from wastes and agri-residues. Pertinent calculations and design examples are included in each chapter. Chapter 1 presents an overview of anaerobic fermentation, including definitions, biochemical reactions, major considerations in an anaerobic system, benefits, limitations, and calculations of the energy generation from various feedstocks. Chapter 2 covers the common metabolic stages of the anaerobic fermentation of organics and microbiological processes, and aims to provide readers with the necessary basics of microbiology, bi

Year

2008

Language

English

Publisher

Blackwell

Editions

7

ISBN

9780813823461

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