Pyrolysis : models & simulation

The emergence of software for simulating the behavior of pyrolyzable materials dates back to the 1960s, in the context of atmospheric re-entry and propulsion applications.

A recent review published by a member of HyFAR-ARA traces the origins of pyrolysis research, from the work of Lavoisier—initially rooted in fundamental studies that contributed to the rise of modern chemistry—to contemporary developments in advanced engineering.

These developments aim in particular to optimize the design of thermal protection systems, biomass pyrolysis reactors for the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and to improve our understanding of fire phenomena.

In total, 54 models and codes are compared and classified, highlighting their complementarities as well as the scientific and technical challenges that remain to be addressed by the broader community.

Pyrolysis models and simulation tools: A cross-community comparative review highlighting open challenges. J. Lachaud.  International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 259-128347: 1-43, 2026.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2026.128347 (Open Access)

Figure: The combustion of a match (a) and the behavior of an ablative thermal protection system (b) share the complexity of pyrolysis phenomena (c), which govern the material response.