Fast Pyrolysis

Fast pyrolysis is a process in which organic materials are rapidly heated to 450 - 600 °C in absence of air. Under these conditions organic vapours, permanent gases and charcoal are produced. The vapours are condensed to pyrolysis oil. Typically, 50 – 75 wt% of the feedstock is converted into pyrolysis oil.
Pyrolysis transforms difficult-to-handle biomass of different nature into a clean and uniform liquid. Its energy density is 5-15 times higher than the original solid material, which offers important logistic advantages.
Pyrolysis oil can be utilised in a large number of applications to generate heat, power or chemicals. Some have already been successfully tested (e.g. co-firing in existing gas-fired power station), other applications require further development (e.g. upgrading of the bio-oil to a transportation fuel).