Historically, humans have been harnessing biomass as a source of energy since the time they knew to make a fire from woods. Even today, some countries still depend on woods as a main source of energy. Biologically, biomass contains carbon-, hydrogen- and oxygen-based matters that unify in a solid material and that are potentially to be converted to fuel. Lignin is one of the components present in lignocellulosic biomass and has been actively examined to be used for biofuel production. Issues arise with the chemical characteristic and rigidity of its structure, which a setback for its viability for biofuel conversion. However, such setbacks have been counteracted with the advances of lignin-based knowledge on its conversion to chemical precursors for biofuel conversion. Recently, investigations on hydrogenation as one of the chemical processes used can be potentially utilised for efficient and viable means for biofuel production.
Part of the book: New Advances in Hydrogenation Processes