'''Pyrolysis''' is formally defined as chemical decomposition of
organic materials by heating in the absence of
oxygen. Steam cracking is some times also called
pyrolysis.
Several different pyrolysis techniques are being developed to produce hydrocarbon fuel similar to oil or diesel from organic waste and other kinds of
biomass.
Anhydrous pyrolysis
The term pyrolysis often refers to anhydrous pyrolysis, without water. Anhydrous pyrolysis has been assumed to take place during
catagenesis, the conversion of
kerogen to fossil fuels.
One use of industrial anhydrous pyrolysis is to extract usable fuels from a wide variety of organic products. The production of
charcoal through the pyrolysis of
wood has been widely used. In many industrial applications the process is done under pressure and at operating temperatures above 430°C (800°F). Anhydrous pyrolysis can also be used to produce liquid fuel similar to
diesel from solid
biomass. The most common technique uses very low residence times (<2 seconds) and high heating rates using a temperature between 350-500 °C and is called either fast or flash pyrolysis.
It also can be used to degrade wastes, as a form of
incineration.
Hydrous pyrolysis
When water is present
hydrous pyrolysis takes place.
Thermal depolymerization uses hydrous pyrolysis in the conversion of organic waste into light crude oil.
External links
BioOil - One of several anhydrous pyrolyses techniques being developed to produce oil from organic waste
Category:organic reactions
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