Typically, bio-oil produced from fast pyrolysis consists of a complex mixture of aliphatic and aromatic oxygenates (e.g., acids, aldehydes, ketones) and particulates (solids). It is very viscous, acidic and unstable liquid with relatively low energy density (16-19 MJ/kg) compared to conventional fossil oil (42-45 MJ/kg). However, as scientists and industries are developing technologies that can upgrade low quality bio-oil to high quality carbohydrate chains such as JP8, the fast pyrolysis process is becoming more and more attractive.
To make a use of bio oil driven from biomass, AST has at least three catalysts that can deoxygenate the bio oil and produce liquid hydrocarbon with an 8 to 12 carbon chain length (JP8) When coal and biomass are pyrolyzed together, the excess oxygen from biomass becomes available to hot tar and char. With proper catalyst the chemical reaction can be pushed to generate lot more syngas and leave behind low oxygen and rich carbohydrate blend of bio-oil and tar.
To read the full, original article click on this link: A Look at 12 New Technologies that Could Change the Biofuel Industry (Part 2)
