1. Thermochemical biomass upgrading processes

Thermochemical upgrading of biomass involves heating biomass to high temperatures in a non-oxidizing atmosphere (or in sub-stoichiometry in the case of partial oxidation). Schematically, three types of thermochemical biomass upgrading process have been developed at near-ambient pressures. For slow heating, slow pyrolysis is obtained, leading mainly to the formation of charcoal. For faster heating rates, fast pyrolysis is performed, leading mainly to the formation of bio-oil [G1455]