Biomass pyrolysis for chemicals

The problems that are associated with the use of fossil fuels demand a transition to renewable sources for energy and materials. Biomass is a natural treasure for chemicals that, to date, have been made from fossil resources. Unfortunately, the heterogeneiety and complexity of biomass still precludes exploitation of its full potential. New technologies for economical valorization of biomass are under development, but cannot yet compete with petrochemical processes. However, rising prices of fossil resources will inevitably lead to replacement of oil refineries with biorefineries. A biorefinery uses various types of biomass feedstocks that are processed via different technologies into heat, power and various products. The biorefinery is self sustainable with respect to heat and power and puts no burden on the environment. Thermochemical processes such as fast pyrolysis can play an important role in biorefineries and this article presents a review of some pyrolysis-based technologies.