In closing: The current state and new perspectives

This chapter summarises key elements of the work presented in earlier chapters. Progress in experimental method development for investigating thermal breakdown in lignocellulosic biomass and coals has been reviewed. Advances made in the analytical characterisation of high-mass heavy hydrocarbon liquids have been summarised. The chapter concludes with a short discussion on future perspectives for the utilisation of lignocellulosic biomass and coal as energy vectors.