Dependence on fossil fuels causes pollution, climate change, and energy insecurity. Biomass is a carbon-neutral, abundant, and versatile energy source. Pyrolysis is one of the most prominent thermochemical pathways for producing bio-oil, biochar, and biogas from a variety of feedstocks. This review critically evaluates biomass pyrolysis with emphasis on feedstock characterisation, pre-treatment methods, process parameters, and applications of the resulting products. Comparative analysis shows that while fixed-bed and tubular reactors continue to be useful for laboratory research and the synthesis of biochar, fluidised bed reactors produce greater bio-oil yields appropriate for industrial uses. Biochar improves soil fertility, helps remove pollutants, and supports long-term carbon sequestration. Biogas helps recover direct energy through combustion, combined heat and power, and the production of synthetic fuels. Bio-oil shows promise as a renewable liquid fuel, but it needs to be upgraded to overcome instability for widespread use. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are also highlighted in the review, with particular attention paid to SDGs 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action). Stabilisation of bio-oil, techno-economic analysis, reactor scalability, and life cycle environmental impacts are still areas with significant research gaps.
Article navigation
16 April 2026
Research Article|
November 17 2025
A review on biomass and pyrolysis technique Available to Purchase
Rakhesh Indira Pachamaanickam;
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Stella Mary’s College of Engineering
, Kanya Kumari, India
Corresponding author Rakhesh Indira Pachamaanickam (r.i743@ymail.com)
Search for other works by this author on:
Shenbaga Vinayaga Moorthi Navaneethakrishnan
Shenbaga Vinayaga Moorthi Navaneethakrishnan
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Anna University Regional Campus
, Tirunelveli, India
Search for other works by this author on:
Corresponding author Rakhesh Indira Pachamaanickam (r.i743@ymail.com)
Competing interests The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Received:
January 23 2025
Accepted:
September 26 2025
Online ISSN: 1751-4231
Print ISSN: 1751-4223
Funding
Funding Group:
- Funding Statement(s): This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, and government sectors.
© 2025 Emerald Publishing Limited
2025
Emerald Publishing Limited
Licensed re-use rights only
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Energy (2026) 179 (2): 99–115.
Article history
Received:
January 23 2025
Accepted:
September 26 2025
Citation
Indira Pachamaanickam R, Navaneethakrishnan SVM (2026), "A review on biomass and pyrolysis technique". Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Energy, Vol. 179 No. 2 pp. 99–115, doi: https://doi.org/10.1680/jener.25.00011
Download citation file:
Suggested Reading
Renewables cannibalisation in electricity: modelling the effect on energy pricing
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Energy (July,2025)
Briefing: Advancing sustainability practice in geotechnical design and construction
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering (October,2025)
Solar-integrated biogas reactor for efficient kitchen waste conversion to biogas
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability (October,2024)
Finham gas-to-grid plant, UK: delivering a multi-disciplinary renewable energy scheme
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering (June,2022)
Biomass pyrolysis modeling of systems at laboratory scale with experimental validation
International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow (February,2018)
Related Chapters
Sustainability and Climate Change
Water Supply and Distribution Systems
Sustainability
Structural Design of Buildings: Fundamentals in Design, Management and Sustainability
Recommended for you
These recommendations are informed by your reading behaviors and indicated interests.
