Biomass for Renewable Energy, Fuels, and Chemicals

Dr. Donald L. Klass is the author or co-author of over 300 papers and patents and the editor of 27 books in the field of energy and the environment. He received his B.S. in chemistry from the University of Illinois, and his A.M. and Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Harvard University. Dr. Klass has managed research and educational programs for the Institute of Gas Technology and the petroleum industry. Currently, he is the Research Director for Entech International, Inc., President of the Biomass Energy Research Association, a member of several research advisory boards and business development committees, and a consultant to industry and government, both U.S. and foreign.

"It is extremely thorough, detailed, and well documented. Topics are explained in great detail. The book stands as one of the best published on the subject in recent times. It can be used by the professional or student alike, since the in-depth treatment of principles and practices allow information retrieval at different levels of complexity. It is a good techincal reference and will serve as an important textbook for many years." --JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, March-April 2000"This book provides an excellent and worthwhile text for anyone with an interest in practical ways to secure our future energy supplies." --BIOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE"This book will be useful to a wide range of teachers and lecturers. Those working in schools and colleges will find it a treasure store of useful information to enliven their teaching, especially as there are very useful figures and tables. Those working at a higher level will appreciate the rigorous nature of the work along with the extensive list of references." --CHEMISTRY IN BRITAIN, May 1999"Klass offers a very thotough analysis of the need for biomass fuels, their production and use. It is a superb resource with an impressive review of the potential of many crops and resources to serve energy needs....a resource to be widely used and appreciated. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals; two-year technical program students." --CHOICE, 1999"A good introductory volume for those requiring information on commercialising biomass energy products and on solid and liquid waste disposal energy recovery systems." --WASTE PLANNING, A MINERAL PLANNING PUBLICATION, March 1999

• Preface. Energy Consumption, Reserves, Depletion, Environmental Issues. Biomass as an Energy Resource: Concept and Markets. Photosynthesis of Biomass and Its Conversion-Related Properties. Virgin Biomass Production. Waste Biomass Abundance, Energy Potential, and Availability. Physical Conversion Processes. Thermal Coversion: Combustion. Thermal Conversion: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction. Thermal Converstion: Gasification. Natural Biochemical Liquefaction. Synthetic Oxygenated Liquid Fuels. Microbial Conversion: Gasification. Organic Commodity Chemicals from Biomass. Integrated Biomass Production–Conversion Systems and Net Energy Production. Epilogue. Appendices. Subject Index.