Thermochemical conversion of biomass

Abstract

Sustainable biomass, with number of environmental and economic advantages, has enormous potential in reducing fossil fuels usage to mitigate climate change and achieving low-carbon economy. Because of variety of biomass species with numerous physical and chemical properties, conversion of biomass feedstocks into bioenergy and bio-based products involves a broad diversity of existing and emerging pre-treatment and conversion technologies. Biomass conversion into power, heat, fuels and bio-based products, based on the specific feedstock, is generally categorized into two major conversion pathways—biochemical and thermochemical. Thermochemical conversion technologies to convert sustainable biomass and organic waste into energy forms (heat, power, fuels and bio-based materials) can be categorized as direct combustion, gasification and pyrolysis based on the amount of oxidizing agent present. In this chapter, biomass thermochemical conversion to low-carbon energy and bio-based product production pathways is discussed.