ABSTRACT
Thermochemical conversion technologies use thermal energy in the form of heat to convert biomass into solid, liquid and gaseous products. The basic thermochemical conversion technologies are combustion, pyrolysis and gasification are principally classified based on the reaction temperature, availability of oxygen, residence time and type of product obtained. The various types of fuels like solid, liquid and gaseous fuels are available for firing in boilers, furnaces and other combustion equipments. The selection of right type of fuel depends on various factors such as availability, storage, handling, pollution and landed cost of fuel. Biomass fuels may also be co-combusted with fossil fuels in the existing power stations and cement kilns. This usually entails feeding relatively small quantities of biomass into the plant with the conventional fuel, without disturbing the operation of the plant. The goal of a good burn is to release all the heat from the fuel.
