A Review of Biomass Pyrolysis and Pyrolysis Technologies

Abstract

Biomass, as the only renewable source of fixed carbon, has attracted considerable attention as a renewable energy resource after the oil crises of the last 15 years. Of the variety of technologies available for converting biomass into more useful and valuable energy products, thermochemical processing and particularly pyrolysis have been investigated for the economic production of liquid fuels. The characteristics of pyrolysis processes, upgrading technologies and products are summarised in this overview paper in order to focus on the opportunities, constraints and requirements for successful implementation of these technologies in Europe.