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Potentials of postharvest rice crop residues as a source of biofuel 283

Figure 13.5 Different pretreatment methods for degradation of lignins and solubilization of
hemicellulases in rice residues.

acceptance, and large availability had made them to govern the industrial scenario for
more than a century since the invention of diesel engine in 1893 by Dr. Rudolph
Diesel. However, with large-scale industrial development, growing populations, and
increased demand, the fossil fuel reserves on the earth are gradually depleting and are
on the brink of getting exhausted (Ghobadian et al., 2009). The current situation
seems to be leading toward an energy crisis in the near future. Furthermore, climatic
changes and environmental concerns linked to the burning of fossil fuels have
prompted researchers and engineers to look for alternative energy sources such as the
biofuels. Thus it can be said that climatic and environmental concerns along with
energy security are the major driving forces to stimulate the worldwide development
of biofuel along with the agro industries (Hassan and Kalam, 2013).

13.5.1 Feedstocks for biofuel production

The two most commonly used biofuels are biodiesel and bioethanol mostly derived
from vegetable oils, seeds, and lignocelluloses. Biodiesel can be used as a