On the Cover

Biomass uniquely stands out as the only sustainable carbon carrier among all the other existing renewable sources. It has been recognized to play a critical role in the global efforts to produce carbon-neutral energy. Thermochemical processes, which include pyrolysis, torrefaction, gasification, combustion, and hydrothermal conversions, are perceived to be more efficient in converting biomass into energy and related value-added products than biochemical processes. The successful commercialization of these processes is contingent upon optimized reactor and process designs, which can be effectively achieved via modeling and simulation. As a result, many researchers have developed models of various scales with numerous simplifying assumptions for specific applications of thermochemical conversion of waste biomass. However, there is a research gap that needs to be explored to elaborate the scale of applicability, limitations, accuracy, validity, and special features of each model. For this purpose, in the December 2021 Issue of Biofuel Research Journal, a team of researchers at the University of Moratuwa (Sri Lanka) has reviewed and critically discussed all these important aspects of the existing models for all established industrial thermochemical conversion processes of biomass, thus presenting commercial-scale applicability in terms of reactor design, process control and optimization, and potential ways to upgrade existing models for higher accuracy (DOI: 10.18331/BRJ2021.8.4.3). Cover art by BiofuelResJ. ©2021.