ABSTRACT
After a brief description of the renewable energy legislation, this chapter presents the chemical composition and classification of the biomasses used as feedstocks for first- and advanced-generation biofuels. Afterward, the main production processes of biofuels are presented. The chemical conversion processes include details for transesterification and hydrogenation of vegetable oils or fats. In the thermochemical conversion processes, biomass gasification, pyrolysis, and liquefaction are discussed, whereas in the biochemical conversion processes, the main aspects associated with the production of biogas, biomethane, and bioethanol are described. A brief reference to the production of nonfuel products from biomass, as well as a description of the main characteristics of the previous biofuels, is also given.
