Work

Research Progress in Steam Explosion for Biomass Pretreatment and Its Application to Pyrolysis and Gasification

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Steam Explosion (SE) is a relatively newly developed physicochemical pretreatment method that has received increasing attention since it can effectively upgrade biomass for further utilization. During SE, biomass is first exposed to high-temperature, high-pressure steam and then rapidly depressurized. This process efficiently breaks down the lignocellulosic structure, reduces moisture content, and increases fixed carbon and calorific value. It also enhances biomass grindability and densification, making it more suitable as a renewable solid fuel. This review carefully discusses the fundamental principles of SE and its effects on particle characteristics. Then, the types of SE reactors (mainly composed of batch reactors and continuous reactors) are systematically compared, and the challenges in scaling up and commercialization are discussed. Also, the characteristics of pyrolysis or gasification of biomass pretreated by SE are described in detail. Studies indicate that SE is beneficial for the enhancement of product quality. Finally, the prospects and future challenges in the development of SE (including superheated steam explosion, reaction kinetics improvement, and heat and mass transfer intensification) are presented and discussed.

Source: Molecules

DOI: 10.3390/molecules31071158

Authors: Guanya Liu, Lifeng Wang, Wenhao Lian, Zhongling Zhang, Xiaogang Hao, Jiansheng Zhang

Institutions: Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi Pharmaceutical Vocational College, North University of China, Shanxi Research Institute for Clean Energy

Language: English

Topic: Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258