Agrowaste Lignin as Source of High Calorific Fuel and Fuel Additive

Lignin is the second most abundant biopolymer found on earth, which accounts for about 30-35% of organic carbon within the environment. Lignin is biodegradable and provides rigidity and strength to the stems as well as maintains structural integrity of the cell wall. Lignin is used as a source of many valuable chemicals, fuels, additives, etc. It also has many applications like biopolymer formation (bio-film, resins, foam), antioxidants, plant growth promoters, metal ion chelating agents, surfactant synthesis of nano fibers/carbon fibers/tube aero gel/hydrogel, composites, an adsorbent agent, an emulsifier, a chelating agent, a dispersant reagent in cement, and as gypsum beads, etc. Agrowaste lignin also serves as a very important source for production of fuels like bioethanol, bio-oil, and syngas. It is one of the waste products obtained during bioethanol production, though some of it is used for production of char. Thus, it is an important and easily available agrowaste based biopolymer used for production of fuel.