Biochemical Conversion - Biorefinery Integration
One of the essential elements in the economical and efficient production of cellulosic ethanol is the development of biorefineries. Biorefineries convert various types of biomass feedstock into marketable chemicals, fuels, and products – similar to petroleum refineries. By taking advantage of the differences in biomass components and intermediates, biorefineries maximize the value derived from the feedstock by producing high-value, low-volume products - enhancing profitability; and low-value, high-volume fuels to meet the nation's energy needs. Biochemical processing produces such co-products as succinic and acetic acids (among the ingredients for biobased polymers) and other materials. Products produced from the biorefineries will be used by the transportation, energy, chemical and power industries.