The project has been carried out through a detailed review of the science and technology of fast pyrolysis and related processes and a contribution to the development of a Biomass Information System. The basic scientific principles of fast pyrolysis for liquids are described and reviewed in Chapter 2 followed by a explanation in Chapter 3 of how these are applied to working processes and the main problems that have been encountered. Chapter 4 summarises the current status of fast pyrolysis and Chapter 5 describes in detail the more commercially and technically advanced of these processes. Opportunities for chemicals recovery and upgrading of vapours and liquids to more valuable chemicals and transport fuels is reviewed in Chapter 6. Chapter 7 summarises the contribution made to the BIS project and includes copies of the data suplied as an annex to that chapter. Finally Chapter 8 provides some conclusions on the current status and opportunities for each of the areas described.

CHAPTER 2