In this study, the biomass degradation and the evolution of chemical species during pyrolysis are analysed with the main aim of evaluating the energy performance of a micro-cogeneration unit fed by biogas. The decomposition of the feedstock material is modelled as a two-stage process: firstly, in the reactor, the biomass is decomposed in a residual solid fraction (char) and a gaseous mixture; then, the condensable gases are divided from permanent gases generating the pyro-oil. The mathematical model proposed in this work has been developed considering the dependence of the pyrolysis process from the temperature and within the interval 500–900 °C. The kinetic of the reactions involved during the pyrolysis was also taken into account. Simulations run in AspenPlus exploiting the R-yield reactor supported by a calculator block. Afterwards, the energy recovery line for the valorisation of the pyro-products has been analysed. The gas fraction obtained at the end of the cycle was firstly characterized and then used to feed a micro-CHP system. Results are very promising, with great potential in terms of thermal recovery; more than 60% of the initially fed biogas and about 30% power output can be derived
