The use of biomass and waste as raw materials for renewable energy

This thesis focuses on the use of alternative renewable energy sources as a full replacement for traditional non-renewable resources. We focus on ways to increase the heating value of the raw materials by drying and pyrolysis. Pyrolysis, as we consider, is the most universal process. It generates heat and products which may be used directly as fuel or after modification as additives to fuels. If we store the solid pyrolysis residue, pyrolysis can be considered as a suitable method of capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Pyrolysis is a process contributing to sustainable energy recovery and disposal of municipal, biological and contaminated wastes. Moreover, the production in local conditions from local resources increases land use, employment in the regions and energy self-sufficiency of the state. Furthermore, we deal with possibility of affecting low heating value of fuels by using pyrolysis products. With combined production of fuels (pellets, briquettes) from biomass, wastes and pyrolysis products we expect an increase in heating value of well over 20 MJ·kg^-1. (author)