ARS | Publication request: Pyrolysis and Bio-Oil fact sheet

Submitted to: Extension Fact Sheets
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: June 15, 2009
Publication Date: July 15, 2009
Citation: Sadaka, S., Boateng, A.A. 2009. Pyrolysis and Bio-Oil fact sheet. 2009. Extension Fact Sheets, FSA 1052-PD-6-09N.

Technical Abstract: The proposed U.S. renewable fuels standards require increasing the domestic supply of alternative fuels to 36 billion gallons by 2022. Out of this, 21 billion gallons must come from advanced biofuels i.e., ethanol and/or hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass – translation – conversion of non-grain resources such as agricultural residues, energy crops, etc. One conversion technology with the right footprint that fits the farm setting, and which can have an immediate impact on the farmers’ bottom line is “pyrolysis.” It is the heating the biomass in the absence of air to produce bio-oil and charcoal (biochar) that can be returned to the soil to build it up so food, fiber and bioenergy can be sustainably and simultaneously produced. Herein, we provide some basic facts about pyrolysis and bio-oil production technologies to the non-engineer.