Recent Progress in Gasification/Pyrolysis Technologies for Biomass Conversion to Energy

In this review, we will be discussing existing techniques and recent progress in gasification and pyrolysis techniques for the conversion of cellulosic biomass into a viable source of energy. Topics of discussion will include biomass gasification to produce syngas and process concerns, as well as various ways to address these issues, biomass pyrolysis for production of bio-oil and examples of novel techniques published in recent articles, co-firing of biomass and coal and the use of co-gasification, and co-prolysis, the combination of pyrolysis and gasification. to process pyrolysis products to syngas through gasification and liquifaction of syngas and its conversion to fuels such as ethanol, methanol, and Fisher-Tropsh oil through modified catalysis. (C) 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 28: 47-51, 2009