What is the difference between pyrolysis and carbonization?

 In the field of biomass resource utilization, "pyrolysis" and "carbonization" are like twin trees, growing from the same root but bearing different fruits. Understanding their essential differences is the key first step in choosing suitable pyrolysis equipment.

Pyrolysis is a generalized thermal conversion process of biomass in an oxygen-deficient environment. The core pyrolysis equipment achieves the "three-legged tripod" of products through precise control of temperature, heating rate and residence time: biochar, bio-oil, combustible gas. This multi-output characteristic makes pyrolysis equipment the core carrier of biomass energy and chemical raw material preparation.

Carbonization is a deeply specialized version of the pyrolysis process. It focuses on a single goal - maximizing the yield and quality of biochar. The dedicated carbonization machine forces the carbon element in the biomass to be enriched in a directional manner through enhanced sealing design, low-temperature slow pyrolysis (usually <400℃) and extended insulation time, producing high-quality biochar with high fixed carbon and porous structure.

Universal pyrolysis equipment is like a "multifunctional reactor": equipped with a rapid condensation system to capture bio-oil. A multi-stage purification tower is set up to treat combustible gas. An integrated water-cooled carbonization module solidifies biochar. Its structure is highly complex to meet the needs of product diversity. Directed carbonization equipment is transformed into a "biochar refiner": the sealing of the reaction chamber is strengthened, and the oxygen content is close to zero. Step temperature control is used to promote the orderly generation of carbon structure. The combustible gas is directly reburned for energy supply, and the system greatly simplifies all designs just to forge high-quality biochar.

Reverse the technical path from the application scenario. If the goal is bio-oil refining or syngas power generation, it is necessary to choose a multi-product coordinated pyrolysis equipment; if the focus is soil carbon fixation or environmentally friendly adsorption materials, the directional optimized carbonization equipment is more economical and efficient.

Pyrolysis equipment is like the "core hub" of the biomass conversion track - the pyrolysis road to the left leads to energy diversification, and the carbonization path to the right extends to material specialization. Only by recognizing your own terminal can you start the most matching conversion engine and release the maximum value of every ton of biomass.