Chapter 11 - Thermochemical conversion of biomass into valuable products and its modeling studies

Abstract

Biomass is categorized as lignocelluloses, the plant-based, and non-lignocellulose that are non-plant-based. The conversion of this biomass into valuable products is being done by two methods, known as thermochemical and biochemical conversion techniques. The thermochemical conversion of biomass has been used many years in diverse situations. Thermochemical conversion process is further classified as combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, and liquefaction process. Non-lignocellulose materials such as plastic wastes are converted to valuable products by means of thermal conversion. Lignocelluloses are the most abundant biomass resources, which have been observed as a promising alternative to non-renewable fossil resources. This biomass is converted to valuable products by means of thermochemical conversion. These conversions are carried out in a variety of heterogeneous reactors. This chapter covers basic definitions, mechanisms, types of reactors, and different models for thermochemical conversions of biomass in to valuable products.