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Technologies used to convert biomass into solid, liquid and gaseous fuels and valuable chemicals can be grouped under two main headings. These are hydrolysis conversion technologies, which includes biochemical methods and catalytic conversion, and thermochemical conversion technologies that process the decomposition of biomass by different methods. Biomass conversion technologies are shown in Figure 1.1.

Thermochemical conversion technology is based on the basis of converting biomass into products such as fuels and valuable chemicals with the effect of heat. The thermochemical conversion of biomass is one of the oldest processes used by humanity for purposes such as warming and cooking. Thermochemical conversion technologies include pyrolysis, liquefaction and gasification process [44].

Thermochemical conversion technology, which is based on obtaining thermal energy as a result of the rapid reaction of fuel with oxygen, is also a common and advanced technology to be used commercially as it is widely used in vehicles and factories. Gasification can be defined as the process of converting biomass into gaseous fuel or synthesis gas containing different amounts of CO and H₂ [45]. In this process, a gasification medium such as steam, air or oxygen is needed. Oxygen is the most common active ingredient. The active ingredients interact with solid carbon and heavy hydrocarbons, turning them into lower molecular weight gases such as CO, H₂. With various conversion processes applied to biomass, solid, liquid and gas fuels (easily transportable, storable and usable) with high fuel quality, equivalent properties to existing fuels, and more useful, or valuable products for the chemical industry can be obtained. The variety of fuels derived from biomass varies depending on the conversion processes applied and the characteristics of the biomass used [46].

Figure 1.1 Strategies for conversion of biomass to liquid biofuels by thermochemical and hydrolysis routes.