ABSTRACT
The need to procure a biomass raw material supply within a reasonable hauling radius would lead to plants of relatively modest size widely dispersed throughout the resource base. refinements in biomass conversion technology to be realized and the continuing escalation of crude oil prices, it is certain that even single product plants for biomass conversion will eventually become economically feasible. Although the ultimate cross-over point at which biomass-derived chemicals will be less expensive than petroleum-based products depends more on economic, political, and social factors than on technological aspects, improvements in technology can hasten its arrival. These factors are the most important considerations affecting the ultimate large scale conversion of biomass into chemicals and at the same time the most imponderable. Although the relative magnitude of capital investment requirements for biomass conversion to chemicals compared to petrochemical production is discouraging, one bright spot is that the individual plant size would be much smaller for biomass conversion.
