Overview of Applications of Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oil

TLDR

Fast pyrolysis converts biomass into a liquid bio‑oil that can be stored, transported, and upgraded to fuels or chemicals, and has already achieved commercial success despite current energetic and cost challenges. The paper critically reviews the scientific and technical developments of bio‑oil applications to date and proposes future research and strategic directions. The authors conduct a comprehensive literature review of bio‑oil applications, evaluating experimental results, industrial demonstrations, and technological pathways.

Abstract

Fast pyrolysis of biomass is one of the most recent renewable energy processes to have been introduced. It offers the advantages of a liquid product, bio-oil that can be readily stored and transported. Bio-oil is a renewable liquid fuel and can also be used for production of chemicals. Fast pyrolysis has now achieved a commercial success for production of chemicals and is being actively developed for producing liquid fuels. Bio-oils have been successfully tested in engines, turbines, and boilers, and have been upgraded to high-quality hydrocarbon fuels, although at a presently unacceptable energetic and financial cost. The paper critically reviews scientific and technical developments in applications of bio-oil to date and concludes with some suggestions for research and strategic developments.