The efficient conversion of biomass to value-added products has become a major research area in the pursuit of alternatives to petroleum-based feedstocks; hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis are important tools to achieving this aim. This book presents comprehensive coverage of the different catalysts for these reactions, targeting the efficient conversion of bio-based molecules and biopolymers.

The editor, Roberto Rinaldi, is an acknowledged leader in the field of biomass conversion, and has brought together experts from across the globe to examine all aspects of the process, including the solvents, catalysts and feedstocks used in modern biorefineries. Consideration is also given to the fundamentals of running a plant, such as equipment and safety issues.

As the biorefinery industry expands to meet the latest discoveries in biomass conversion, this book provides a thorough grounding in the subject and is an essential reference to researchers at the forefront of discovering new products, companies wishing to scale-up biomass conversion, and postgraduate students of sustainable chemistry and chemical engineering.

Hydrogen: Economics and its role on biorefining; Hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis for biorefining; Non-conventional solvents for hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis; Solvent effects on liquid-phase hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis; Stability of oxidic supports; Nickel catalysts; Iron catalysts; Noble metal catalysts; Metal carbides; Metal sulfides; Hydrogenolysis of cellulose and sugars; Hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis of platform chemicals; Hydrogenolysis of lignin; Hydrodeoxygenation of bio-based phenols; Hydrocracking of vegetable oils and fats for production of 2nd generation biodiesel; Hydrogenation of vegetable oils; Hydrogen transfer reactions for biorefining; Tandem reactions for catalytic upgrade of biomass; Reactors, equipments and safety