{"product_id":"plant-biomass-conversion-isbn-9780813816944","title":"Plant Biomass Conversion","description":"A whole host of motivations are driving the development of the “renewables” industry— ranging from the desire to develop sustainable energy resources to the reduction of dangerous greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. All energy utilized on the earth is ultimately derived from the sun through photosynthesis—the only truly renewable commodity.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e   \u003cp\u003eAs concerns regarding increasing energy prices, global warming and renewable resources continue to grow, so has scientific discovery into agricultural biomass conversion. \u003ci\u003ePlant Biomass Conversion\u003c\/i\u003e addresses both the development of plant biomass and conversion technology, in addition to issues surrounding biomass conversion, such as the affect on water resources and soil sustainability. This book also offers a brief overview of the current status of the industry and examples of production plants being used in current biomass conversion efforts.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContributors xi\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePreface xiii\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1 The Bioeconomy: A New Era of Products Derived from Renewable Plant-Based Feedstocks 3\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003ePeter Nelson, Elizabeth Hood, and Randall Powell\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.1 Introduction 3\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.2 Market Opportunity for Biofuels and Biobased Products 5\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.3 Feedstocks 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.3.1 Biobased Feedstock Availability and Issues 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.3.2 Characterization of Lignocellulosic Feedstocks 8\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.3.3 The Role of Agricultural Biotechnology 9\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.3.4 Biomass Agricultural Equipment Development 11\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.4 The Biochemical Technology Platform 11\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.5 Investment and Major Players 12\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.6 The Role of the Farmer 14\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.7 Opportunities for Rural Development 16\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.8 Environmental Benefits 17\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.9 Economic Comparison of the Biochemical and Thermochemical Technology Platforms 17\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.10 Conclusions and Future Prospects 18\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 19\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2 Agricultural Residues 21\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eJames Hettenhaus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.1 Introduction 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.1.1 Key Issues 22\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2 Feedstock Supply 23\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2.1 Residue Markets 26\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2.2 Harvest Window 27\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2.3 Residue Removal 27\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2.4 Residue Management 28\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2.5 Ag Equipment Needs 29\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2.6 Operating Costs 33\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2.7 Residue Nutrient Value 33\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2.8 Land for Energy Crops 33\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2.9 Farmer Outlook 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2.10 Crop Research and Development 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3 Feedstock Logistics 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3.1 Bulk Density 35\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3.2 Storage 36\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3.3 Regional Biomass Processing Centers 43\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.4 Conclusion 48\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEndnotes 49\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 49\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3 Growing Systems for Traditional and New Forest-Based Materials 51\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eRandall Rousseau, Janet Hawkes, Shijie Liu, and Tom Amidon\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.1 Introduction 51\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.2 Natural Regeneration 54\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3 Overall Growing Systems 54\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3.1 The Beginnings of Biomass Plantation Production 55\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3.2 Short Rotation Woody Crops 56\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3.3 Other Types of Hardwood Plantations 59\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3.4 Southern Pine 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.4 New Genetic Tools 62\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.5 Agroforestry 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.6 Products from Woody Biomass 67\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.6.1 Hemicellulosic Products 69\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.6.2 Biorefineries Using Woody Biomass 71\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.6.3 Hot-Water Extraction of Hemicellulose 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.6.4 Wood Extracts: Processing and Conversion 75\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.6.5 Residual Solid Wood Biomass: Processing and Conversion of the wood mass after extraction, an example 78\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.7 Summary 78\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 78\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e4 Dedicated Herbaceous Energy Crops 85\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eKeat (Thomas) Teoh, Shivakumar Pattada Devaiah, Deborah Vicuna Requesens, and Elizabeth E. Hood\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.1 Introduction 85\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.2 Miscanthus 85\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.2.1 Characteristics That Make Miscanthus a Potential Biomass Crop 87\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.2.2 Agronomy 87\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.3 Sweet Sorghum 90\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.3.1 Biology of Sweet Sorghum 92\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.3.2 Production 92\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.3.3 Potential Yields 94\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.3.4 Economic and Environmental Advantages of Sweet Sorghum 94\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.3.5 Production Challenges 96\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.4 Switchgrass 97\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.4.1 Physiology 97\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.4.2 Switchgrass Ecotypes 98\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.4.3 Advantages 98\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.4.4 Disadvantages 99\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.4.5 Yields 100\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.4.6 Switchgrass as a Bioenergy Crop 101\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.5 Conclusions and Future Prospects 101\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 104\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5 Municipal Solid Waste as a Biomass Feedstock 109\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eDavid J. Webster\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.1 Introduction 109\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.2 Definitions 110\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.2.1 Second-Generation Conversion Technologies for Biofuels 110\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.3 Disposal Infrastructure and Transfer Stations 110\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.3.1 Collection Practices 112\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.3.2 Cost Parameters 112\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.4 Waste Generation 113\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.5 Waste Characterization 114\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.5.1 Composition of Generated MSW Prior to Disposal or Processing 114\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.5.2 Landfilled Waste Compared to Waste Generation 115\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.5.3 Water in MSW 116\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.5.4 Heavy Metals in MSW 117\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.6 Preparing MSW for Conversion Processing—Mixed Waste Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) 119\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.6.1 Presorting 121\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.6.2 Mechanical Sorting Operations 122\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.6.3 Manual Sorting Operations 123\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.6.4 Recovery Rates of the MRF System 123\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.7 Cellulosic Content of MSW 124\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.7.1 Glucose and Ethanol Yields from MSW 124\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.8 Framing the Potential 125\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 126\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e6 Water Sustainability in Biomass Cropping Systems 129\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eJennifer L. Bouldin and Rodney E. Wright\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.1 Introduction 129\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.2 Water Use in Bioenergy Production 130\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.3 Water Quality Issues in Bioenergy Crops 133\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.3.1 AGNPS Watershed Model 135\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.3.2 Water Quality and the Gulf Hypoxic Zone 138\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.4 Conclusions—Water Quantity and Quality 138\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 139\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e7 Soil Sustainability Issues in Energy Crop Production 143\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eV. Steven Green\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.1 Soil Sustainability Concepts 143\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.2 Bioenergy Crops and Soil Sustainability 145\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.2.1 Crop Residues 145\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.2.2 Dedicated Energy Crops 146\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.3 Resource Use in Biomass Production 149\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.3.1 Water and Soil 149\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.3.2 Land Use 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.4 Soil Sustainability Solutions 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.5 Conclusion 154\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 154\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8 Fermentation Organisms for 5- and 6-Carbon Sugars 157\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eNicholas Dufour, Jeffrey Swana, and Reeta P. Rao\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.1 Introduction 157\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.2 Fermentation 159\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.3 Metabolic Pathways 160\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.4 Fermenting Species 161\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.4.1 Brief Description of Major Species 175\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.5 Other Relevant Products 180\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.6 Summary 183\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEndnotes 183\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 184\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e9 Pretreatment Options 199\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eBradley A. Saville\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.1 Overview of Pretreatment Technologies 199\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.1.1 History 199\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.1.2 Mechanistic Assessment of Pretreatment 200\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.1.3 Severity Factor Concept 203\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.2 Pretreatment Classification 205\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.2.1 Mechanical Pretreatment Processes 206\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.2.2 Chemical Pretreatment Processes 206\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.2.3 Thermochemical Pretreatment Processes 209\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.2.4 Impact on Moisture Content and Hydraulic Load 210\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.3 Laboratory vs. Commercial Scale Pretreatment—What Do We Really Know? 211\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.3.1 Laboratory Studies 211\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.3.2 Pilot\/Demonstration Scale Studies 211\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.3.3 Limitations of Laboratory-Scale Comparisons of Pretreatment Methods 214\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.4 Process Issues and Trade-Offs 215\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.4.1 Inhibitors 215\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.4.2 Hydrolysis Efficiency and Enzyme Loadings 218\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.4.3 Solvent\/Catalyst Recovery 218\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.4.4 Viscosity Reduction and Hydraulic Load 218\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.5 Economics 220\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.6 Conclusions 224\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 224\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e10 Enzyme Production Systems for Biomass Conversion 227\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eJohn A. Howard, Zivko Nikolov, and Elizabeth E. Hood\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.1 Introduction 227\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.2 The Challenge: Volume and Cost of Enzymes Required 227\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.3 Theoretical Ways to Address the Challenge of Quantity of Enzyme and Cost Requirements 228\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.3.1 Increase Susceptibility for Biomass Deconstruction 229\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.3.2 Decrease Exogenous Enzyme Load 231\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.3.3 Increase Accumulation of Enzymes in Production Host 236\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.4 Cost of Producing Exogenous Enzymes 240\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.4.1 Cost Analysis 242\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.5 Summary and Future Prospects 245\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 246\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e11 Fermentation-Based Biofuels 255\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eRandy Kramer and Helene Belanger\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.1 Introduction 255\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.2 First-Generation Biofuels 256\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.2.1 Starch-Based Ethanol—United States 256\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.2.2 Sugar-Based Ethanol—Brazil 257\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.2.3 Biodiesel 258\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.3 Policy and Biofuel Implementation Status 260\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.3.1 North America 260\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.3.2 South America 262\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.3.3 Europe 262\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.3.4 Asia 263\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.4 Second-Generation Biofuels 265\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.4.1 Cellulosic Ethanol 265\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.4.2 Biobutanol 268\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.5 Issues for Biofuels Commercial Success 269\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.5.1 Transport by Pipeline 269\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.5.2 Decentralized Production and Local Distribution 270\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.5.3 Optimized Engine Performance 271\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.5.4 Value of Biorefinery Co-products 272\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.6 Summary 272\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 272\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e12 Biobased Chemicals and Polymers 275\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eRandall W. Powell, Clare Elton, Ross Prestidge, and Helene Belanger\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.1 Introduction 275\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.2 Biobased Feedstock Components 276\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.3 Biomass Conversion Technologies 277\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.3.1 Technology Platforms Overview 277\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.3.2 Lignocellulose Fractionation Overview 279\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.4 Biobased Products 287\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.4.1 Oil-Based Products 287\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.4.2 Sugar\/Starch-Based Products 289\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.4.3 Polymer Products 293\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.4.4 Lignin Products 299\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.5 Summary 303\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 304\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e13 Carbon Offset Potential of Biomass-Based Energy 311\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eGauri-Shankar Guha\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.1 Emerging Public Interest in Carbon 311\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.1.1 Overview 311\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.1.2 Initiatives to Address Anthropogenic Climate Change 311\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.1.3 GHG Mitigation and Carbon Sequestration Strategies 314\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.2 Theory of Carbon Markets 314\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.2.1 Tradable Permits and the Market for Emissions 314\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.2.2 Concept of Carbon Markets 315\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.2.3 Demand and Supply of Carbon Credits 316\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.3 Creation of Carbon Markets 317\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.3.1 Carbon Credits 317\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.3.2 Global Carbon Trade 318\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.3.3 Carbon Trading in the United States 318\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.3.4 The CCX Offset Program 318\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.4 Role of Biomass-Based Energy in Carbon Markets 319\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.4.1 Economic Significance of Bioenergy 319\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.4.2 Bioenergy Policies, Practices, and Trends 321\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.4.3 Carbon Offset Opportunities for Biofuels 323\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.5 Prognosis of Carbon Markets 324\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 325\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e14 Biofuel Economics 329\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eDaniel Klein-Marcuschamer, Brad Holmes, Blake A. Simmons, and Harvey W. Blanch\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.1 Introduction 329\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.2 Production Processes 330\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.3 Biomass Transportation and Handling 331\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.4 Conversion of Biomass into Sugars 332\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.5 Conversion of Sugars into Biofuels 335\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.6 Separation and Purification 337\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.7 Co-product Handling 337\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.8 Major Cost Drivers 338\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.8.1 Biomass-Associated Costs 338\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.8.2 Capital Expenses 340\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.8.3 Operating Costs 342\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.9 Risks 343\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.10 Policy Support 345\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.11 Infrastructure and Vehicle Modifications 346\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.12 Conclusions 347\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.13 Acknowledgments 348\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 348\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 355\u003c\/p\u003e  \"Overall it gives very good insights on biomass feedstocks for all uses of biomass as well as fermentation technologies mainly for biofuels.\" (Encyclopedia of Industrial Biotechnology, 30 August 2011)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e   \u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cb\u003eElizabeth Hood, Ph.D\u003c\/b\u003e, is a Distinguished Professor of Agriculture at Arkansas State University. \u003cbr\u003e   \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePeter Nelson\u003c\/b\u003e is a principal in BioDimensions, providing services for startup companies developing green technology.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eRandy Powell\u003c\/b\u003e, Ph.D, is the president of Powell Consulting, LLC, a construction consulting firm promoting biofuel and bioproducts.\u003c\/p\u003e As concerns regarding increasing energy prices, global warming and renewable resources continue to grow, so has scientific discovery into agricultural biomass conversion. Plant Biomass Conversion addresses both the development of plant biomass and conversion technology, in addition to issues surrounding biomass conversion, such as the affect on water resources and soil sustainability. This book also offers a brief overview of the current status of the industry and examples of production plants being used in current biomass conversion efforts.","brand":"Wiley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47989796569317,"sku":"NP9780813816944","price":258.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780813816944.jpg?v=1761785501","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/plant-biomass-conversion-isbn-9780813816944","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}