This document compares pyrolysis and carbonization, two processes for thermally decomposing organic materials. Pyrolysis involves heating biomass in the absence of oxygen to produce bio-oil, biochar, and syngas. Carbonization involves heating biomass in limited oxygen to produce charcoal and coke. The main differences are that pyrolysis operates at lower temperatures, produces a variety of products, and is used to make biofuels, while carbonization requires higher temperatures, mainly produces solids, and is used to make materials like activated carbon. Both can be used to produce energy and store carbon.

1. Pyrolysis vs carbonization
FUEL AND COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY
PETROCHEMICAL ENGINEERING
GROUP 4
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2. OUTLINE
 INTRODUCTION
 PYROLYSIS
 TYPES OF PYROLYSIS
 BIOMASS PYROLYSIS CYCLE
 PRODUCTS FROM PYROLYSIS
 CARBONIZATION
 PRODUCTS FROM CARBONIZATION
 SIMILIARITIES BETWEEN PYROLYSIS AND CARBONIZATION
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PYROLYSIS AND CARBONIZATION
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3. INTRODUCTION
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 The use of biomass as an energy source is an issue of great
importance
 Raw biomass has significantly less energy content than petroleum but
it has certain other advantages.
 There are various technologies for conversion of biomass to energy,
Pyrolysis and Carbonization
 Some technologies are more efficient and economical than others

4. PYROLYSIS
Pyrolysis is a chemical process in which organic
materials are decomposed by heat in the absence of
oxygen, resulting in the production of volatile gases,
liquids, and solid residue.
Pyrolysis is an exothermic reaction.
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5. TYPES OF PYROLYSIS
1. Slow pyrolysis
Occurs slowly
Occurs at temperatures between 400 – 500ºC
2. Fast pyrolysis
Occurs at relatively higher temperature (500-800ºC).
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6. BIOMASS PYROLYSIS CYCLE
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7. PRODUCTS FROM PYROLYSIS
Bio-oil
Biochar
Syngas
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8. CARBONIZATION
Carbonization is the process predominantly for the production of a
carbonaceous residue ( coke) by thermal decomposition of organic
substances with simultaneous removal of distillate ( volatile liquids).
Organic material + Heat → Carbon or carbon-rich residues
∆H= -ve
During this reaction, the organic material undergoes physical and
chemical changes 8

9. PRODUCTS FROM CARBONIZATION
Charcoal
Coke
Gas
Carbon black
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10. Similarities between pyrolysis and
carbonization
Both pyrolysis and carbonization involve the thermal degradation of
organic materials
Both processes require a source of heat to initiate the decomposition
of the organic material.
Both pyrolysis and carbonization can be used to produce energy
Both processes can be used to produce biochar, which is a form of
charcoal that is used for soil improvement and carbon sequestration
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11. Differences between pyrolysis and carbonization
PROPERTY PYROLYSIS CARBONIZATION
Process Description
The thermal decomposition
of organic materials in the
absence of oxygen
The process of heating
organic materials in a
controlled environment (in
the presence of limited
oxygen) to produce char or
high-carbon-content
materials
Yield of products
Yields a range of products,
including gases, liquids, and
solids
Yields mainly solid carbon-
rich materials
Temperature
Operates at lower
temperatures (around 400-
600 °C)
Requires higher temperatures
(above 600 °C)
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12. Differences between pyrolysis and
carbonization, cont.
PROPERTY PYROLYSIS CARBONIZATION
Time Typically, shorter processing
time
Typically longer processing time
End-product quality End-products have lower carbon
content and may contain
impurities
End-products have higher carbon
content and lower impurities
Applications
Used to produce biochar, bio-oil,
and syngas, which can be used as
fuel, chemicals, or fertilizers
Used to produce charcoal,
activated carbon, and
metallurgical coke, which are
used in industrial applications
Environmental impact May produce harmful emissions
if not properly controlled
Can be used as a sustainable
waste management method and
carbon sequestration tool
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13. CONCLUSION
 Pyrolysis and carbonization are two important processes for the thermal
degradation of organic material.
 Pyrolysis is used primarily for the production of biofuel
 Carbonization is used for the production of charcoal and activated carbon
 Both have important applications in a variety of fields including energy
production, waste management and the production of high value
materials
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14. THANK YOU
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