Analytical approaches to characterizing pyrolysis oil from biomass

Abstract Biomass is a renewable source of energy that could mitigate pollution of fossil fuels. It is abundant as agricultural residues and forest waste, whose thermochemical decomposition, without combustion, under optimal conditions produces valuable gases, condensates and char. Char is useful in fertilizers, while the condensed liquid, pyrolysis oil (Py-oil), serves as the mother liquor for numerous value-added chemicals and prospective engine-fuel applications. Chemical analysis and complete characterization are absolutely essential to gather empirical information that informs the rationale of research into Py-oil. Tools of analytical chemistry have revealed valuable information, and we critically evaluate some of the significant investigations and their outcomes. We also focus briefly on sample-preparation protocols and spectroscopic characterization. This review provides a brief discussion of prominent approaches to characterizing components of Py-oil from biomass and analytical competence.