1. Carbonaceous Material Characterization

The thermochemical conversion of biomass by means of processes such as torrefaction, pyrolysis, or gasification, produces a char-like material with properties that differ considerably from the original feedstock. Further processing in the form of chemical or physical activation continues to modify the properties of the carbonaceous materials produced. The following Sections (1.1.1–1.1.4) provide a description of the main properties needed to characterize carbon-based materials for applications of biochar production and energy conversion.