Chart showing conditions for thermochemical processing technologies used to reduce the volume of low moisture waste and produce heat, syngas for renewable energy production, biochar, or bio-oil.

These are the five common types of thermochemical processing, organized by temperature and oxygen level. 

Updated: July 18, 2025

What is Thermochemical Processing?

Thermochemical processing is a high-heat way to turn farm waste into fuel, fertilizer, and other useful products. Farm waste like poultry litter can be processed at high temperatures into things like bio-oil, biochar, or gas, using heat and special systems.

How it Works

  1. If waste is heated, when there's no oxygen → it produces biochar and bio-oil (this is called pyrolysis)
  2. If waste is heated, when there's some oxygen → it makes heat and gas (this is gasification)
  3. If waste is heated, when there's a lot of oxygen → it just burns (incineration or combustion)

Why it Matters for Farmers & Landowners

  • Turns hard to manage waste into something valuable
  • Reduce harmful gas emissions
  • Can power equipment, heat barns, or improve soil (if using biochar)
  • Useful for poultry farms, large-scale livestock, or food waste systems

Recommended for First-Time Visitors

Thermochemical Processing Fact Sheet - A Quick Summary
Language Versions

Itilize Pwosesis Tèmochimik pou Jere fatra/ dechè Agrikòl (Kreyòl ayisyen)Uso de Procesos Termoquímicos Para el Manejo de Residuos Agrícolas (Español)