Co-Pyrolysis Processes of Coal and Biomass Blends

Co-pyrolysis of coal and biomass blends has emerged as a versatile route to convert diverse feedstocks into valuable bio-oil, syngas and char while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. By combining coal’s high energy density with biomass’s renewable carbon, this process leverages complementary reactivity to enhance carbon conversion efficiency and tailor product distributions. Key parameters such as blending ratio, heating rate, peak temperature and reactor configuration exert strong control over the extent of interaction between coal and biomass constituents, often giving rise to synergistic effects that alter devolatilisation pathways and suppress tar formation. Advances in reactor design, including staged heating zones and fluidised beds, have improved heat transfer and product quality, enabling scale-up for industrial co-firing and biorefinery applications. Beyond energy production, chars from co-pyrolysis serve as soil amendments or activated carbon precursors, while customised bio-oils offer feedstocks for fuel upgrading. This multidisciplinary field continues to attract interest for its potential to integrate renewable resources, reduce reliance on fossil carbon and support circular-economy strategies on a global scale.

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Co-Pyrolysis Processes of Coal and Biomass Blends publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in co-pyrolysis processes of coal and biomass blends across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Co-pyrolysis: Simultaneous thermal decomposition of coal and biomass in an oxygen-free environment to yield solid char, combustible gases and liquid oils.

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA): Technique measuring mass loss of a sample under controlled temperature to assess thermal decomposition characteristics.

Synergistic effect: Interaction between coal and biomass that alters product yields or reaction pathways beyond the sum of individual behaviours.

Activation energy: Minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction during the pyrolysis process.

Pyrolysis oil: Liquid product rich in oxygenated organic compounds obtained from thermal decomposition of carbonaceous feedstocks.

References

1. Copyrolysis of Biomass and Coal: A Review of Effects of Copyrolysis Parameters, Product Properties, and Synergistic Mechanisms. BioMed Research International (2016).
2. Synergistic Effects between Lignin, Cellulose and Coal in the Co-Pyrolysis Process of Coal and Cotton Stalk. Molecules (2023).
3. Study on Co-Pyrolysis of Coal and Biomass and Process Simulation Optimization. Sustainability (2023).
4. Exploring copyrolysis characteristics and thermokinetics of peach stone and bituminous coal blends. Energy Science & Engineering (2023).