Thermochemical Conversion

Thermochemical conversion is a broad classification of technologies, including combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, torrefaction, and liquifaction, utilizing temperature and pressure rather than chemical or biological catalysts or enzymes for the production of desired chemicals or fuels. Thermochemical conversion technologies may be applied to fossil and biogenic feedstocks – their action to decompose complex organic molecules to smaller molecules that may be then reassembled into a desired compound. Thermochemical conversion becomes controversial if accomplished in the presence of oxygen which can result in emissions that are not considered environmentally benign.

A thermochemical expert or consultant is someone who has a significant background in this area, through education and experience. Thermochemical conversion experts should be scientists or engineers with a background in chemistry, physics and engineering as the processes and projects include challenges with materials handling (ie, grinding, sizing, drying, conveying, etc) requiring experience with the handling of solid materials.  An expert in thermochemical conversion of biomass and waste should have a wide range of expertise in the various technologies used to generate the required product, as well as, their relative strengths and weaknesses.  They should know what technology to recommend and how to adjust parameters to obtain the desired product mix. They are familiar with both upstream feed handling and pretreatment and downstream separation and upgrading process.

The thermochemical expert may assist investors in selecting the right technology and in preparing due diligence/feasibility studies and loan/grant applications. They follow the market and have experience with the current state of supply, demand, and pricing.  They are familiar with renewable fuel mandates and credits and other regulations.  They understand fuel specifications for blending and how the meet therm.   They know many of the key players in the industry.  They keep up to date with the current state of the art with all thermochemical processes. During design, the thermochemical expert may perform a peer review of the design, prepare cost opinions and assist with permit applications.  During construction, the thermochemical expert can assist with construction oversight of the process facility and provide commissioning reports. They may also provide operator training, start-up assistance, and recipe management to assist thermochemical conversion plant owners in making the plant run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. In matters involving litigation, the consultant may serve an expert witness and assist the attorneys with understanding the processes and related technical issues and may testify in court about aspects of the thermochemical technology and related matters.

Large renewable energy and biochemical consulting firms like Lee Enterprises Consulting normally offer a wide range of services in biofuels, biochemicals, biotechnologies, biomaterials, synthetic biology commercialization, feedstocks, and hemp/cannabis.  These companies should have business and financial services like due diligence, feedstock availability, grants and loans and bio market research.  The company also offers technical and engineering related services like techno economic analysis, environmental evaluations, feasibility studies, risk analysis and expert witness engagements.   They might also have strategic partnerships in place to assist clients with insurance, legal, accounting, plant fabrication, feedstock procurement.  

With over 150 experts worldwide, Lee Enterprises Consulting has experts in many specific clean and renewable areas, including anaerobic digestion, fermentation, biomass, conversion technologies for things like tires and railroad ties, organic synthesis, fuel additives, ethanol gas, biodiesel fuel including algae biofuels, solid state and industrial fermentation, green energy grants, ag biotech, agricultural waste, alcohol fuels, alternative proteins and animal-free products, sustainable foods, beverage fermentation, biocatalysis, biodiesel conversion, biogas production, biomass power, carbon intensity, co2 utilization, combined heat & power, Fischer-Tropsch technology, food waste, hydrothermal carbonization, industrial enzymes, landfill management, microbial fermentation, organic synthesis, plastic pyrolysis, plastic recycling, plastic waste, pyrolysis oil, reactor design, renewable identification number, the Renewable Fuel Standard (rfs2), solid recovered fuels, torrefaction and torrefied biomass, waste to energy, and waste-to-hydrogen.   This is a multidisciplinary group of green energy consultants that is a virtual “one stop shop” for any client need and handles projects of all types and sizes.

Look at our experts and the services we provide.  Most of our experts are also available to advise and serve as expert witnesses in bioeconomy litigation matters.  For the larger projects, we specialize in putting together full service, interdisciplinary teams with one point of contact.  See video about LEC here.  Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for more information.