ABSTRACT
The shortfall in energy as well as deletion of fossil fuels has attracted many researchers and industrialists to search for substitute energy sources based on renewable resources. Biomass from agricultural wastes such as crop residue, weeds, leaf litter, sawdust and livestock waste are not being efficiently utilized. These biomasses contain lots of energy if they are being utilized properly. In recent times, renewable biomass conversion to biofuels and value-added products are globally gaining significant prominence. Biomass can be utilized for the production of syngas, liquid fuel, gaseous fuel, and fine chemicals. Biomass is an inexpensive, sustainable and renewable feedstock. It is a good candidate for the replacement of a variety of fossil-based products. The purpose of this chapter is to provide information about the additional energy and range of fine chemicals that can be produced by bio-refineries. This chapter focuses on the processes, catalysts and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis required for the conversion of biomass into useful syngas, fine chemicals and biodiesel.
