biooil

Biooil, also called fast pyrolysis oil, is the liquid product obtained by rapidly heating lignocellulosic biomass to high temperatures in oxygen-free or limited-oxygen conditions and then quenching the vapors to condense them. It is a viscous, dark brown liquid with high water content and high oxygen content, usually 15–35% water and 25–40% oxygen by weight. The remainder consists of a complex mixture of phenolics, furans, aldehydes, ketones, acids, and sugars. The exact composition depends on biomass feedstock and process parameters.

Biooil has desirable energy density comparable to heavy fuel oil but is highly unstable and corrosive; it tends to polymerize and separate into phases, making storage and handling challenging. Its acidity (pH around 2–3) and presence of water reduce combustion quality and cause corrosion in engines and boilers. It is rarely used directly as a drop-in transportation fuel.

Applications and upgrading: It can be used for heat and power; as a chemical feedstock after upgrading; for blending with diesel or gasoline in stabilized emulsions. Upgrading routes include hydrotreating, catalytic hydrodeoxygenation, gasification and reforming to syngas then FT liquids, or chemical upgrading such as esterification and selective oxidation to reduce oxygen content.

Environmental and economic aspects: Biooil production from biomass offers potential greenhouse gas reductions when integrated with sustainable feedstocks, but capital costs, low yields, and refining requirements constrain commercialization. Feedstock choice, pretreatment, and process integration influence lifecycle impacts and profitability.