Libros UCLV { BETA }

The art of gasification and pyrolysis of biomass is as old as our natural habitat. Both processes have been at work since the early days of vegetation on this planet. Flame leaping from forest fires is an example of “flaming pyrolysis.” Blue hallow in a swamp is an example of methane gas formation through decomposition of biomass and its subsequent combustion in contact with air. Human beings, however, learned to harness these processes much later. First, large-scale application of gasification for industry and society concentrated on coal as the fuel. It was primarily for lighting of city streets and affluent people’s houses. Use of gasification, though nearly as ancient as combustion technologies, did not rise with industrialization the same as combustion because of the abundant supply and low prices of oil and natural gas.