Physicochemical characterization and ionic liquids mediated deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass for production of fermentable sugars

Abstract

Economic growth, expanding population and accompanying structural changes strongly lead to increase in the world energy demand by 25% from 2014 to 2040. World’s liquid fuel demand is expected to grow from 90 million barrels/per day (b/d) in 2012 to 100 million b/d in 2020 and to 121 million b/d in 2040. About 95% of current transportation energy needs are met by petroleum. The burning of these fossil fuels would result in increasing the worldwide energy-related CO2 emissions from 32.2 billion metric tonnes (BMT) in 2012 to 35.6 BMT in 2020 and 43.2 BMT in 2040 (IEA 2016). Therefore, the transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to renewable fuel based economy will inevitably take place in the foreseeable future. India is one of the fastest developing countries in the world with an ever-increasing economy and is projected to grow by 7.7% in the fiscal year 2017-18 (World Bank, Global Economic Prospects). The Ministry of Statistics confirms that the country still depends on coal and lignite for its energy requirements followed by petroleum.1-2 India imports around 80% of its fuel demand and transportation sector consume around 40% of oil demand. Hence, with the rapid depletion of our available reservoirs, rising environmental hazards and pollution; cheaper and clean energy resources should be considered and exploited to meet the nation's energy requirements and to diminish the greenhouse effect.