A comprehensive reference to the use of innovative catalysts and processes to turn biomass into value-added chemicals

Chemical Catalysts for Biomass Upgrading offers detailed descriptions of catalysts and catalytic processes employed in the synthesis of chemicals and fuels from the most abundant and important biomass types. The contributors?noted experts on the topic?focus on the application of catalysts to the pyrolysis of whole biomass and to the upgrading of bio-oils.

The authors discuss catalytic approaches to the processing of biomass-derived oxygenates, as exemplified by sugars, via reactions such as reforming, hydrogenation, oxidation, and condensation reactions. Additionally, the book provides an overview of catalysts for lignin valorization via oxidative and reductive methods and considers the conversion of fats and oils to fuels and terminal olefins by means of esterification/transesterification, hydrodeoxygenation, and decarboxylation/decarbonylation processes. The authors also provide an overview of conversion processes based on terpenes and chitin, two emerging feedstocks with a rich chemistry, and summarize some of the emerging trends in the field. This important book:

-Provides a comprehensive review of innovative catalysts, catalytic processes, and catalyst design
-Offers a guide to one of the most promising ways to find useful alternatives for fossil fuel resources
-Includes information on the most abundant and important types of biomass feedstocks
-Examines fields such as catalytic cracking, pyrolysis, depolymerization, and many more

Written for catalytic chemists, process engineers, environmental chemists, bioengineers, organic chemists, and polymer chemists, Chemical Catalysts for Biomass Upgrading presents deep insights on the most important aspects of biomass upgrading and their various types.

Mark Crocker is Associate Director at the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, where he leads the Biofuels and Environmental Catalysis research program, and Professor of Chemistry at the University of Kentucky.

Eduardo Santillan-Jimenez is Principal Research Scientist at the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research. His current work focuses on the application of heterogeneous catalysis to the production of renewable fuels and chemicals.