The energy from renewable sources is a topic that has been widely discussed and studied, especially
since the use of fossil fuels in industrial processes are the principal source of environmental pollution. ln, this context, the processes of biomass gasification and pyrolysis are alternatives for energy enhancement, especially in rural areas [1]. One novel area that has begun to be investigated is the use of cork residues. Gasification studies have been conducted using several) samples of residues obtained during different phases of the cork manufacturing process in order to test their ability to produce energy [2]. An alternative to gasification is pyrolysis, which involves the carbonization of solid materials in an inert atmosphere, resulting in three distinct products: gas, oil and a carbon-rich solid residue. The formation of pyrolytic products is influenced by the operating conditions and the characteristics of the raw material [3].
The aim of this study was to investigate possible innovation in the cork industry by analysing the efficiency of
pyrolysis of natural cork waste and by identifying optimal operating conditions, and the characteristics of the products obtained. ln, this paper some preliminary results are reportedN/