GENERAL DESCRIPTION Biomass for Renewable Energy, Fuels, and Chemicals serves as a comprehensive introduction to the subject for the student and the educator and is useful for researchers who are interested in the technical details of biomass energy production. The coverage and discussion are multidisciplinary, reflecting the many scientific and engineering disciplines involved. The book will appeal to a broad range of energy professionals and specialists, farmers and foresters who are searching for methods of selecting, growing, and converting energy crops, entrepreneurs who are commercializing biomass energy projects, and those involved in designing solid and liquid waste disposal energy recovery systems. KEY FEATURES Presents a graduated treatment from basic principles to the details of specific technologies Includes a critical analysis of many biomass energy research and commercialization activities Proposes several new technical approaches to improve efficiencies, net energy production, and economics Reviews failed projects, as well as successes, and methods for overcoming barriers to commercialization Written by a leader in the field with 40 years of educational, research, and commercialization experience Book Reviews It is extremely thorough, detailed, and well documented. Topics are explained in great detail. The book stands as one of the best published on the subject in recent times. It can be used by the professional or student alike, since the in-depth treatment of principles and practices allow information retrieval at different levels of complexity. It is a good techincal reference and will serve as an important textbook for many years. --JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, March-April 2000 This book provides an excellent and worthwhile text for anyone with an interest in practical ways to secure our future energy supplies. --BIOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dr. Donald L. Klass is the author or co-author of over 300 papers and patents and the editor of 27 books in the field of energy and the environment. He received his B.S. in chemistry from the University of Illinois, and his A.M. and Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Harvard University. Dr. Klass has managed research and educational programs for the Institute of Gas Technology and the petroleum industry. Currently, he is the Research Director for Entech International, Inc., President of the Biomass Energy Research Association, a member of several research advisory boards and business development committees, and a consultant to industry and government, both U.S. and foreign. CONTENTS: About the Author. Preface. Acknowledgment. Energy Consumption, Reserves, Depletion, and Environmental Issues. Biomass as an Energy Resource: Concept and Markets. Photosynthesis of Biomass and Its Conversion-Related Properties. Virgin Biomass Production. Waste Biomass Abundance, Energy Potential, and Availability. Physical Conversion Processes. Thermal Conversion: Combustion. Thermal Conversion: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction. Thermal Conversion: Gasification. Natural Biochemical Liquefaction. Synthetic Oxygenated Liquid Fuels. Microbial Conversion: Gasification. Organic Commodity Chemicals from Biomass. Integrated Biomass Production–Conversion Systems and Net Energy Production. Epilogue. Appendices. Index.