To convert biomass into a biofuel, it must first be deconstructed into its component chemicals. One can generally differentiate between deconstruction processes by the temperature at which they take place. A variety of intermediates can be formed depending on the conditions used in this process.
After preprocessing and/or pretreatment, deconstruction processes can be divided into two categories: (1) high-temperature deconstruction and (2) low-temperature deconstruction.
High-Temperature Deconstruction refers to processes performed at or above 200°C and includes deconstruction processes such as pyrolysis, hydrothermal and solvent liquefaction, and gasification.
Low-Temperature Deconstruction refers to processes performed below 200°C and includes deconstruction processes such as enzymatic and acid hydrolysis. (Bioenergy Technologies Office)