ABSTRACT
This chapter provides several examples for different chemical and process intensification techniques and biorefinery concepts. It focuses on recent developments in microwave and ultrasound mediated process intensification in biofuel synthesis and associated issues in their synergism by a discussion on current challenges and future prospective. Microwave hybridization can be considered for various process applications such as drying of moisture content, evaporation, extraction of valuable bioproducts and thermochemical reactions involving high pressure and high temperature conditions. Microwaves have higher penetration and energy transfer efficiencies under vacuum conditions. Microwave Hydrodiffusion and Gravity (MHG) is relatively a new technique for the extraction of essential oils. Among the biofuels, the application of microwaves or ultrasound in biodiesel synthesis or oil extraction and transesterification processes is fairly recent. Reducing the cost of the construction for the hybrid reactors and improving the reactor designs for energy efficiency may make the process intensifications more relevant to biorefineries.
