Page 16 - Biomass Gasification, Pyrolysis And Torrefaction Practical Design and Theory

Preface

The art of energy conversion of biomass is as old as our natural habitat.
Such processes have been at work since the early days of vegetation on this
planet. Flame leaping from forest fire is an example of “flaming pyrolysis.”
Trace of blue flame in a swamp is an example of methane gas formation
through decomposition of biomass and its subsequent combustion in contact
with air. Burning vegetation on ground to increase soil fertility is an example of
biochar production. Human beings, however, learned to harness these processes
much later.
Use of biomass for energy, though nearly as ancient as human civilization,
did not rise at the same pace with industrialization because of the abundant
supply and low prices of oil and natural gas. Only in the recent past has there
been an upsurge in interest in biomass energy conversion, fueled by several
factors:
Interest in the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of energy
production
Push for independence from the less reliable supply and fluctuating prices
of oil and gas
Interest in renewable and locally available energy sources
Rise in the price of oil and natural gas.
Several excellent books on coal gasification are available, but a limited
few are available about biomass gasification and pyrolysis, and none on
torrefaction. A large body of peer-reviewed literature on biomass gasifica-
tion, pyrolysis, and torrefaction is available; some recent books on energy
also include brief discussions on these topics. For example the previous
edition (Biomass Gasification and Pyrolysis) of this book along with its
Chinese and Italian versions presents a good treatment of these topics.
There is yet a dearth of comprehensive publications specifically on torre-
faction. For this reason, the previous book was revised and expanded with
several new chapters on such new topics to develop the monograph.
Engineers, scientists, and operating personnel of biomass gasification,
pyrolysis, or torrefaction plants clearly need such information from a single
easy-to-access source. Better comprehension of the basics of biomass
conversion could help an operator understand the workings of such plants,
a design engineer to size the conversion reactors, and a planner to evaluate
different conversion options. The present book was written to fill this impor-
tant need. It attempts to mold available research results in an easy-to-use

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