Comparison between physical properties and chemical composition of bio-oils derived from lignocellulose and triglyceride sources T. Stedile a , L. Ender a , H.F. Meier a , E.L. Simionatto b , V.R Wiggers a,n a Chemical Engineering Department, Regional University of Blumenau (FURB), Blumenau, SC, Brazil b Chemistry Department, Regional University of Blumenau (FURB), Blumenau, SC, Brazil article info Article history: Received 31 October 2014 Received in revised form 18 March 2015 Accepted 23 April 2015 Keywords: Pyrolysis Thermal cracking Biomass Bio-oil Biofuels abstract Biomass can be used in the production of alternative liquid fuels and other chemicals through the pyrolysis process. The types of biomass used to obtain bio-oils can be divided into two main groups: lignocelluloses (LCs) and triacylglycerols (TAGs). However, although the liquid fraction obtained from the pyrolysis of these biomasses has different physical and chemical properties, the distinction between them is not yet clear in the literature. In this context, the main goal of this paper is to provide a summary of several research studies dealing with the measurement of the physicochemical properties of a range of bio-oils obtained from biomass based on lignocellulose and triglyceride sources. The aim is to shed light on the main differences between these two types of bio-oil in order to highlight their most appropriate applications as fuels or chemical precursors, by providing a comprehensive review on their physical and chemical properties. & 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Contents 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 2 2. Biomass: Source type and composition .................................................................................... 2 2.1. Lignocelluloses (LC) .............................................................................................. 2 2.2. Triacylglycerols (TAG) ............................................................................................ 3 3. A comprehensive review of the pyrolysis process ............................................................................ 4 4. Bio-oil: Physical and chemical properties................................................................................... 8 5. Comparison of bio-oils obtained from LCs and TAGs .......................................................................... 9 5.1. Water content .................................................................................................. 9 5.2. Density ....................................................................................................... 13 5.3. Viscosity ...................................................................................................... 13 5.4. Acidity ....................................................................................................... 13 5.5. Heating value .................................................................................................. 13 5.5.1. Elemental composition ................................................................................... 14 5.5.2. Composition ............................................................................................ 15 6. Conclusions ......................................................................................................... 15 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... 15 References .............................................................................................................. 15 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/rser Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.080 1364-0321/& 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. n Corresponding author. E-mail address: vwiggers@furb.br (V. Wiggers). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 50 (2015) 92–108