Lignocellulosic biomass fast pyrolysis

The present chapter discusses aspects, known by the authors, of (a) biomass as feedstock, (b) the concept of bio-refinery, (c) thermochemical routes from lignocellulosic biomass to fuels, and (d) the contribution of catalytic technology. The main focus will be on the catalytic conversion of fast pyrolysis oil into fuels with regard to problems encountered currently and the challenges for future research and development. 

Deglise X Richard C., Rolin A., Franfois H. (1980). Fast Pyrolysis/Gasification of Lignocellulosic Materials at Short Residence Time, In Proc. Energy from Biomass , T EC Conference, PALI, CHARTIER and HALL ed., Applied Science Pub., 548-553. 

Cheng Y-T, Jae J, Shi J, Fan W, Huber GW (2012) Production of renewable aromatic compounds by catalytic fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass with bifiinctional Ga/ZSM-5 catalysts. Angew Chem Int Ed 51(6) 1387-1390... 

As can be seen from Figure 8.6, fast pyrolysis is the primary technology to convert lignocellulosic biomass into biooil, char, and gas. The biooil is feedstock for a subsequent biorefinery approach that aims to further process the biooil into a spectrum of value-added products. This elegant concept is further schematically presented in Figure 8.7. 

CFP [Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis] A process for converting lignocellulosic biomass into a mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons, notably / -xylene. It uses a fluidized bed at 500°C-1000°C and a modified ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst. Invented by G.W. Huber and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and licensed through Anellotech. The first plant is scheduled for completion in 2014. 

Lehto, J., et al., 2014. Review of fuel oil quality and combustion of fast pyrolysis bio-oils from lignocellulosic biomass. Applied Energy 116, 178—190. 

Choi, H.S., Choi, Y.S., Park, H.C., 2012. Fast pyrolysis characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass with varying reaction conditions. Renewable Energy 42 (0), 131—135. 

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