Abstract This paper explores the hyperbolic heat transfer effects in processes involving high heating rates. The behavior of the model is analyzed in detail under different boundary conditions and the circumstances under which a non-Fourier law could be used to describe thermal conduction processes established from physical mathematical analysis. Finally, the model developed here is coupled to a previous population balance framework to predict the bubbling phenomenon that occurs during the fast pyrolysis of biomass. We found that a transient overheating occurs in the central zone of the generated liquid phase due to the high heating rates that take place during that process.