Pyrolysis oil contains a mixture of a lot of chemicals of which certain fractions can be interesting for dedicated applications. An example of such a route is given in Figure 20.5 as proposed by the NREL.16 Here, pyrolysis oil is phase separated via water addition into an aqueous soluble phase and aqueous insoluble phase (here called pyrolitic lignin) which can be used for the production of phenolic resins. The remaining aqueous rich phase is then steam reformed (gas phase) to produce hydrogen. This phase could alternatively also be reformed at higher pressures in hot compressed water.

Co-feeding biomass to existing refineries

Feeding pyrolysis oil to an existing refinery could facilitate large scale implementation of the use of second generation bio-fuels.17 The pyrolysis oil would then be fed to specific sections of a refinery (like FCC and hydrotreating). To allow this, pyrolysis oil would need an upgrading step via (mild) hydrogenation. As a side product of this upgrading step, water-rich organic side streams are being produced which would then, via steam reforming or reforming in hot compressed water, be a source for hydrogen for the refinery and the upgrading itself.