Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is a thermochemical process (combination of thermal and chemical processes) similar to combustion, but carried out in the absence of oxygen. The pyrolysis process allows the generation of three products: solid (biochar), liquid (bio-oils) and gases.During pyrolysis, the volatile matter of the biomass is released to the gas phase, thus remaining a solid fraction (biochar) where most of the inorganic content of the raw biomass is embedded onto a carbon-rich matrix.In this process, it is prevented that the inorganic substances of the biomass are transformed into ash, as in the combustion and gasification processes.

As pyrolysis is carried out without oxygen and flame, much of the physicochemical structure of the original biomass remains intact in the resulting solid.

The efficient use of residual forest biomass in pyrolysis processes requires the development of innovative solutions to optimize the process in energy and environmental terms.