ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of types of biofuels and their properties, and discusses the classes and economic sustainability of biofuels. The classification of biofuels is based on the sources of biomass, limitations as renewable sources and the technology used in the production of biofuels. The nature and composition of biomass plays a key part in the grouping and production of biofuels. The ‘bio’ pathway can be compared to the pulping process as the process involves separation of cellulose from the lignocellulosic biomass. The process for the production of third-generation biofuels involves the growing of algae and extraction of oil from algal species. Bioalcohols are produced using two methods: direct and indirect fermentation. In direct fermentation, the first step is the identification of plant material and isolation of the microbial strain used for biofuel production. Biodiesel is a common conventional fuel source that chemically mixes monoalkyl esters with fatty acids.
