ABSTRACT
Fossil fuels are the primary source of energy in the world. For example, in 2008, the global energy consumption was 474 exajoules (1 EJ = 1018 J), of which 88% was derived from fossil fuel resources. As shown in Figure 3.1, renewable resources currently account for only about 7% of total energy consumption (both globally and in the United States). Primary sources of renewable energy include
3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 37 3.1.1 Current Energy Outlook ............................................................................................. 37 3.1.2 Liquid Biofuels ........................................................................................................... 39 3.1.3 Lignocellulosic Biomass .............................................................................................40 3.1.4 Processes Developed for Conversion of Lignocellullosic Biomass to Fuels .............. 41 3.1.5 Conversion of Carbohydrates and Polyols to Fuels: Thermodynamic Issues ............. 43 3.1.6 Reaction Classes for Catalytic Conversion of Carbohydrate-Derived Feedstocks .....44
