Fast pyrolysis processes for biomass

Fast pyrolysis for production of liquids has developed considerably since t he first experiments in the late 1970s. Many reactors and processes have be en investigated and developed to the point where fast pyrolysis is now an a ccepted feasible and viable route to renewable liquid fuels, chemicals and derived products. It is also now clear that liquid products offer significa nt advantages in storage and transport over gas and heat. These advantages have caused greater attention to be paid to fast pyrolysis, leading to sign ificant advances in process development. The technology of fast pyrolysis for liquids is noteworthy for the wide ran ge of reactor configurations that have been developed to meet the stringent requirements for high yields of useful liquids, for use as a fuel in boile rs, engines and turbines and as a source of chemical commodities. This revi ew summarises the key features of fast pyrolysis and the resultant liquid p roduct and describes the major reaction systems and processes that have bee n developed over the last 20 years. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.