Reactive flash volatilization (RFV) is a chemical process that rapidly converts nonvolatile solids and liquids to volatile compounds by thermal decomposition for integration with catalytic chemistries. Chemistry The utilization of heavy fossil fuels or biomass rich in carbohydrates, (C6H10O5)n, for fuels or chemicals requires an initial thermochemical process called pyrolysis which fractures large polymers to mixtures of small volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A specific method of pyrolysis of biomass, termed "fast pyrolysis," converts particles of biomass to about 10% carbon-rich solid called char, about 15% gases such as carbon dioxide, and about 70% a mixture of organic compounds commonly referred to as "bio-oil" at 500 °C in 1–2 seconds. Pyrolysis: Biomass + Heat → 0.70VOCs + 0.10Char + 0.15Gases The volatile organics can be collected as a brown, highly acidic liquid for further thermochemical conversion by traditional processes such as steam reforming, gasification, catalytic partial oxidation, catalytic cracking, combustion, or hydrotreating. Catalytic steam reforming: VOCs + H2O + Heat + Catalyst → H2 + CO + Catalyst Catalytic partial oxidation: VOCs + O2 + Catalyst → H2 + CO + Heat + Catalyst Catalytic combustion: VOCs + O2 + Catalyst → CO2 + H2O + Heat + Catalyst These two sets of chemistries, pyrolysis and catalytic processing, are combined to form the reactive flash volatilization process. Solid hydrocarbons or biomass are contacted with high temperature (500–900 °C) catalysts to generate gases and volatile organic compounds. The volatile species flow into the catalyst with a reactant (H2, O2, or H2O) to convert to desirable products (H2, CO, H2O, CO2, or VOCs). RFV: Biomass + heat + Reactant + Catalyst → Gases + VOCs + Reactant + Catalyst → Products + Catalyst Discovery Reactive flash volatilization was demonstrated in 2006 in the journal Science by the high temperature (700–800 °C) conversion of soybean oil (triglycerides) and sugar (D-(+)-glucose) to synthesis gas (H2 + CO) and olefins (ethylene and propylene). Complete, continuous catalytic conversion of heavy fuels was surprising, because the initial pyrolytic chemistry has been shown to generate significant amounts of solid residue called "char" which was expected to block the necessary interaction between the reactant compounds and the solid metal catalyst. The process has been described, "The low volatility of these biofuel feedstocks not only leads to soot production when they are used directly in internal combustion engines but also causes them to coat industrial catalysts with a deactivating layer of