Book excerpt: Membrane Technologies for Biorefining highlights the best practices needed for the efficient and environmentally-compatible separation techniques that are fundamental to the conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals for use as alternatives to petroleum refining. Membrane technologies are increasingly of interest in biorefineries due to their modest energy consumption, low chemical requirements, and excellent separation efficiency. The book provides researchers in academia and industry with an authoritative overview of the different types of membranes and highlights the ways in which they can be applied in biorefineries for the production of chemicals and biofuels. Topics have been selected to highlight both the variety of raw materials treated in biorefineries and the range of biofuel and chemical end-products. - Presents the first book to focus specifically on membrane technologies in biorefineries - Provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of membranes and highlight ways in which they can be applied in biorefineries for the production of chemicals and biofuels - Topics selected highlight both the variety of raw materials treated using membranes in biorefineries and the range of biofuel and chemical end-products