Calls for pyrolysis partners

The Carbon Trust recently called for Expressions of Interest from potential partners within the scientific community to collaborate in the development of a world-class pyrolysis oil upgrading process.

The Carbon Trust said that over next three to five years it will invest up to £5m in one or more commercially focussed research projects in this area of advanced biofuels.

The Carbon Trust has identified pyrolysis oil from sustainable sources of biomass as having the potential to produce low-cost fuels with low system greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, providing it can be integrated into a conventional refinery.

According to the Carbon Trust, the properties of oil produced from current fast pyrolysis processes are far from suitable for direct integration. The Pyrolysis Challenge aims to produce oil with the properties required for integration either by modifying the pyrolysis process to produce better quality oil directly; or upgrading the oil before or at the refinery.

The Carbon Trust is seeking a potentially wide range of partners who will commit an element of matching support to deliver a breakthrough in this area.