Chemical characterisation of tars from the thermal conversion of biomass by 1D and 2D gas chromatography combined with silylation

•Research results obtained from 1D & 2D GC-MS combined with silylation.•Determination of the chemical composition of bio-tars by silyl agents.•Tars samples originated from the continuous torrefaction of wood biomass.

Tars obtained from the thermal conversion of biomass are an incredibly reach source of information regarding the type and composition of feed biomass as well as the process parameters. However, thus far, that information remains unobtainable due to a lack of analytical and data processing methods that can handle such an enormous set of chemical species. Herein, we present results obtained from one- and two-dimensional gas chromatography combined with chemical derivatization using silyl agents. This approach extended the range of compounds that can be analysed with the gas chromatography technique to include polyalcohols and polyphenols with low volatilities and medium thermal stabilities. The examined tars originated from the continuous torrefaction of wood biomass in the temperature range between 300 and 350 °C.