Abstract: This invention discloses a heat integrated and energy saving process for producing high quality pyrolysis oil from biomass by utilizing a torrefaction pretreatment step for biomass pyrolysis processing wherein the pretreatment step improves the quality of the pyrolysis oil by reducing acidity. This invention further utilizes the gaseous product of the torrefaction step through a combustion process for heat production and recovery.

Abstract: A novel process for atomizing a liquid stream is disclosed and includes introducing the liquid to a nozzle including a fluid conduit, an outlet orifice and swirl-imparting means thereby at least partially atomizing the liquid stream to form an atomized liquid stream. Preferably, the atomized liquid stream does not contact a fluid deflecting device upon exit from the outlet orifice. This novel process can be utilized in a fluidized catalytic cracking process prior to contact with a fluidized catalyst or in a coking process for atomizing an oil stream.