Comprehensive Review of Biomass Pyrolysis: Conventional and Advanced Technologies, Reactor Designs, Product Compositions and Yields, and Techno-Economic Analysis

Wojciech Jerzak (), Esther Acha and Bin Li
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Wojciech Jerzak: Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza Av. 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Esther Acha: Faculty of Engineering of Bilbao, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alameda Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
Bin Li: School of Engineering, Anhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-31

Abstract: Pyrolysis is an environmentally friendly and efficient method for converting biomass into a wide range of products, including fuels, chemicals, fertilizers, catalysts, and sorption materials. This review confirms that scientific research on biomass pyrolysis has remained strong over the past 10 years. The authors examine the operating conditions of different types of pyrolysis, including slow, intermediate, fast, and flash, highlighting the distinct heating rates for each. Furthermore, biomass pyrolysis reactors are categorized into four groups, pneumatic bed reactors, gravity reactors, stationary bed reactors, and mechanical reactors, with a discussion on each type. The review then focuses on recent advancements in pyrolysis technologies that have improved efficiency, yield, and product quality, which, in turn, support sustainable energy production and effective waste management. The composition and yields of products from the different types of pyrolysis have been also reviewed. Finally, a techno-economic analysis has been conducted for both the pyrolysis of biomass alone and the co-pyrolysis of biomass with other raw materials.

Keywords: biomass; pyrolysis; reactors; char; bio-oil; gas; techno-economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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