Principles and practice of biomass fast pyrolysis processes for liquids

Biomass fast pyrolysis is of rapidly growing interest in Europe as it is pe rceived to offer significant logistical and hence economic advantages over other thermal conversion processes. This is because the liquid product can be stored until required or readily transported to where it can be most eff ectively utilised. The objective of this paper is to review the design cons iderations faced by the developers of fast pyrolysis, upgrading and utilisa tion processes in order to successfully implement the technologies. Aspects of design of a fast pyrolysis system include feed drying; particle size; p retreatment; reactor configuration; heat supply; heat transfer; heating rat es; reaction temperature; vapour residence time; secondary cracking; char s eparation; ash separation; liquids collection. Each of these aspects is rev iewed and discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.