Other products

In parallel with the use of oil for energy, the wood pyrolysis process allows the production of a number of other value added products, listed below.  ROC will develop these products independently of its energy supply work.  Market development will take time and in some cases additional R&D is needed. 

Charcoal

The pyrolysis process produces charcoal for use directly as a fuel, in products such as cooking briquettes, or as a metallurgical reductant. There is also considerable interest in using this charcoal to enhance soil for agriculture and horticulture. At the same time, the char provides carbon sequestration. See here for more information. Pyrolysis Char has also featured in Biomass Magazine.

Resins

Bio-oil contains chemicals that can be incorporated into industrial resins, particularly as a replacement for phenol in phenol formaldehyde (PF) resins.  PF resins are used world-wide in engineered wood products, foundry operations, brake pads and other applications.

Commercial scale use of bio-oil extracts in resins will take several years to achieve, however such use promises the additional revenue stream of a sustainably-produced high value chemical, while the balance of the bio-oil is still available for renewable energy.

Fuel for diesel engines

Diesel engines do not yet run commercially with pyrolysis oil as fuel.  Research has shown that such operation is feasible, and has highlighted the issues to address for long term operation.

ROC plans to work with Dynamotive, European R&D teams and an Australian university to develop practical applications for bio-oil in diesel engines.