Simulating biomass fast pyrolysis at the single particle scale

Abstract

Biomass holds tremendous potential as a renewable feedstock for the production of fuels and chemicals. However, significant technological advancement is required before production of biofuels and bio-based chemicals will become widespread and economically self-sustaining at the industrial scale. Many of the greatest challenges surrounding biomass conversion stem from the complex nature of the feedstock. Biomass consists of the remains of once-living plant tissue, and therefore retains many of the characteristics of the original organism. These characteristics, such as microstructure, biopolymer composition, and mineral content, are species-specific and can vary substantially between feedstock types. Furthermore, the commoditization of biomass feedstocks will likely result in the distribution of feedstock "blends", or combinations of several feedstock species (e.g. pine wood, switchgrass, and poplar wood), the proportions of which will typically be determined by economic factors such as harvesting, preparation, transportation costs, supply levels and market demand for the various constituents.

Citation

Ciesielski, Peter N.; Wiggins, Gavin M.; Jakes, Joseph E.; Daw, Stuart C. 2017. Simulating biomass fast pyrolysis at the single particle scale. In: Brown, R. C.; Wang, K., eds. Fast pyrolysis of biomass: advances in science and technology. The Royal Society of Chemistry. Green Chemistry Series No. 50. Chapter 11: 231-252.