Separation and purification processes play a critical role in biorefineries and their optimal selection, design and operation to maximise product yields and improve overall process efficiency. Separations and purifications are necessary for upstream processes as well as in maximising and improving product recovery in downstream processes. These processes account for a significant fraction of the total capital and operating costs and also are highly energy intensive. Consequently, a better understanding of separation and purification processes, current and possible alternative and novel advanced methods is essential for achieving the overall techno-economic feasibility and commercial success of sustainable biorefineries.

This book presents a comprehensive overview focused specifically on the present state, future challenges and opportunities for separation and purification methods and technologies in biorefineries.

Topics covered include:

Equilibrium Separations: Distillation, liquid-liquid extraction and supercritical fluid extraction.
Affinity-Based Separations: Adsorption, ion exchange, and simulated moving bed technologies.
Membrane Based Separations: Microfiltration, ultrafiltration and diafiltration, nanofiltration, membrane pervaporation, and membrane distillation.
Solid-liquid Separations: Conventional filtration and solid-liquid extraction.
Hybrid/Integrated Reaction-Separation Systems: Membrane bioreactors, extractive fermentation, reactive distillation and reactive absorption.

For each of these processes, the fundamental principles and design aspects are presented, followed by a detailed discussion and specific examples of applications in biorefineries. Each chapter also considers the market needs, industrial challenges, future opportunities, and economic importance of the separation and purification methods. The book concludes with a series of detailed case studies including cellulosic bioethanol production, extraction of algae oil from microalgae, and production of biopolymers.

Separation and Purification Technologies in Biorefineries is an essential resource for scientists and engineers, as well as researchers and academics working in the broader conventional and emerging bio-based products industry, including biomaterials, biochemicals, biofuels and bioenergy.Content:
Chapter 1 Overview of Biomass Conversion Processes and Separation and Purification Technologies in Biorefineries (pages 1–36): Hua?Jiang Huang and Shri Ramaswamy
Chapter 2 Distillation (pages 37–60): Zhigang Lei and Biaohua Chen
Chapter 3 Liquid?Liquid Extraction (LLE) (pages 61–78): Jianguo Zhang and Bo Hu
Chapter 4 Supercritical Fluid Extraction (pages 79–100): Casimiro Mantell, Lourdes Casas, Miguel Rodriguez and Enrique Martinez de la Ossa
Chapter 5 Adsorption (pages 101–148): Saravanan Venkatesan
Chapter 6 Ion Exchange (pages 149–165): M. Berrios, J. A. Siles, M. A. Martin and A. Martin
Chapter 7 Simulated Moving?Bed Technology for Biorefinery Applications (pages 167–202): Chim Yong Chin and Nien?Hwa Linda Wang
Chapter 8 Microfiltration, Ultrafiltration and Diafiltration (pages 205–231): Ann?Sofi Jonsson
Chapter 9 Nanofiltration (pages 233–258): Mika Manttari, Bart Van der Bruggen and Marianne Nystrom
Chapter 10 Membrane Pervaporation (pages 259–299): Yan Wang, Natalia Widjojo, Panu Sukitpaneenit and Tai?Shung Chung
Chapter 11 Membrane Distillation (pages 301–325): M. A. Izquierdo?Gil
Chapter 12 Filtration?Based Separations in the Biorefinery (pages 327–349): Bhavin V. Bhayani and Bandaru V. Ramarao
Chapter 13 Solid–Liquid Extraction in Biorefinery (pages 351–374): Zurina Zainal Abidin, Dayang Radiah Awang Biak, Hamdan Mohamed and Mohd Yusof Harun
Chapter 14 Membrane Bioreactors for Biofuel Production (pages 377–407): Sara M. Badenes, Frederico Castelo Ferreira and Joaquim M. S. Cabral
Chapter 15 Extraction?Fermentation Hybrid (Extractive Fermentation) (pages 409–437): Shang?Tian Yang and Congcong Lu
Chapter 16 Reactive Distillation for the Biorefinery (pages 439–465): Aspi K. Kolah, Carl T. Lira and Dennis J. Miller
Chapter 17 Reactive Absorption (pages 467–484): Anton A. Kiss and Costin Sorin Bildea
Chapter 18 Cellulosic Bioethanol Production (pages 487–501): Mats Galbe, Ola Wallberg and Guido Zacchi
Chapter 19 Dehydration of Ethanol using Pressure Swing Adsorption (pages 503–512): Marian Simo
Chapter 20 Separation and Purification of Lignocellulose Hydrolyzates (pages 513–532): G. Peter van Walsum
Chapter 21 Case Studies of Separation in Biorefineries—Extraction of Algae Oil from Microalgae (pages 533–554): Michael Cooney
Chapter 22 Separation Processes in Biopolymer Production (pages 555–568): Sanjay P. Kamble, Prashant P. Barve, Imran Rahman and Bhaskar D. Kulkarni