Separation and purification technologies in biorefineries Separation and purification processes play a critical role in biorefineries and their optimal selection design and operation to maximise product yields and improve overall process efficiency. Separations and purifications are necessary for upstream processes as well as in maximising and improving product recovery in downstream processes. These processes account for a significant fraction of the total capital and operating costs and also are highly energy intensive. Consequently a better understanding of separation and purification processes current and possible alternative and novel advance