From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
A biorefinery is a
facility that integrates biomass
conversion processes and equipment
to produce fuels, power, and
value-added chemicals from
biomass. The biorefinery
concept is analogous to today's
petroleum refinery, which
produce multiple fuels and
products from
petroleum.
By producing multiple products,
a biorefinery takes
advantage of the various
components in biomass and their
intermediates therefore maximizing
the value derived from the biomass
feedstock. A biorefinery could,
for example, produce one or
several low-volume, but
high-value, chemical or
nutraceutical products and a
low-value, but high-volume liquid
transportation fuel such as
biodiesel or
ethanol (see also
alcohol fuel). At the same
time generating electricity and
process heat, through
combined heat and power (CHP)
technology, for its own use and
perhaps enough for sale of
electricity to the local utility.
The high-value products increase
profitability, the high-volume
fuel helps meet energy needs, and
the power production helps to
lower energy costs and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from
traditional power plant
facilities.
