Decreasing the (Bio)Massive Dependence on Fossil Fuels
Decreasing the (Bio)Massive Dependence on Fossil Fuels Introduction Fossil fuels still dominate the global energy mix, but their long-term viability is increasingly challenged by climate risks, supply volatility, and policy changes. The transition toward renewable fuels is no longer optional — it’s urgent. My involvement in the CHE.02 – Decreasing the (Bio)Massive Dependence on Fossil Fuels project at UIC tackled one pathway: converting biomass waste into drop-in hydrocarbon fuels via fast pyrolysis. Here, I revisit that design and enrich it with the most current (2025) research, trends, and challenges shaping the landscape. https://engineeringexpo.uic.edu/news-stories/che-02-decreasing-the-biomassive-dependence-on-fossil-fuels/ The CHE.02 Design in Brief (Recap) The proposed plant, sited in East Texas , would convert wood waste biomass (e.g. woodchips, forestry residues) into renewable hydrocarbon fuels via fast pyrolysis . The process flow involves feeding biomass with sand & fl...