This is a review of work on the potential of biorefineries. First, it considers the concept of a refinery, the differences between biomass and oil, and the advantages of a biorefinery over a refinery. It goes on to describe the bio‐based economy and biorefinery concepts, and to discuss its origin as a promising alternative to dependence on non‐renewable feedstocks. It provides an exhaustive description of the classification of biorefineries, considering aspects such as systems, technological implementation status, size, feedstocks, platforms, products, and conversion processes. It outlines the main methodologies for designing biorefineries – conceptual design, optimization, and the ‘early stage’ method. Methodologies for the economic, environmental, and social assessment of a biorefinery are presented. Finally, challenges linked to the implementation of biorefinery projects at industrial level are discussed. The authors conclude that the methodologies of conceptual design and optimization must complement each other to achieve a robust design from a conceptual and mathematical point of view. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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This work presents a process optimization study for the production of H 2 and methanol via dark fermentation. A kinetic model is developed for dark fermentation, and it is implemented in the process optimization by means of orthogonal collocation. As a result from the entire process optimization, the optimal operating conditions of the process are determined. The investment in the process is estimated to be $18.2 M and has a production cost of $37.6 per kg of H 2 produced when 1 kg/s of biomass is treated. The second process optimization study is developed for the production of methanol via hydrogenation of CO 2 . This process is estimated to require an investment of $ 16.4 M, and the production cost is $6.9/kg of methanol when 1 kg/s of biomass is treated. In both cases, the amounts of H 2 , 8 g/s, and methanol produced, 38 g/s, are very low in comparison with the resource treated.

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