The Lambiotte process is a well-known process for the continuous carbonization of wood. It is also sometimes called as the “CISR” process which is still in operation in Belgium, France, etc. [1, 2]. But this process is the small and simplified “son” of a much more advanced process (sometimes called as “SIFIC”) developed by the Lambiotte company in France (in Premery). The CISR reactor is smaller than the SIFIC one and burns the condensable products to produce mainly char. The SIFIC process was an integrated forest-refinery. It was operated in Premery to produce about 20000 tons per year of char from about 100000-120000 tons of wet wood (~45% moisture content, before drying in mobile vertical beds) but also to produce various chemicals from the carbonization bio-oils. The carbonization oil was fractionated and purified in an advanced process combining solvent extraction, distillation (more than 40 distillation columns) and catalytic reactions. In the beginning of the 20th century, the factory was able to produce: methanol, formol and their derivatives, acetates and solvent (from acetic acid), creosote, guaiacol, (wood) pitch, various medicines (such as antiseptics). Then even food aromas have been produced.
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