Bio-coal, torrefied lignocellulosic resources – Key properties for its use in co-firing with fossil coal – Their status

Abstract:The growing search for alternative energy sources is not only due to the present shortage of non-renewable energy sources, but also due to their negative environmental impacts. Therefore, a lot of attention is drawn to the use of biomass as a renewable energy source. However, using biomass in its natural state has not proven to be an efficient technique, giving rise to a wide range of processing treatments that enhance the properties of biomass as an energy source. Torrefaction is a thermal process that enhances the properties of biomass through its thermal decomposition at temperatures between 200 and 300 • C. The torrefaction process is defined by several parameters, which also have impacts on the final quality of the torrefied biomass. The final quality is measured by considering parameters, such as humidity, heating value (HV), and grindability. Studies have focused on maximizing the torrefied biomass' quality using the best possible combination for the different parameters. The main objective of this article is to present new information regarding the conventional torrefaction process, as well as study the innovative techniques that have been in development for the improvement of the torrefied biomass qualities. With this study, conclusions were made regarding the importance of torrefaction in the energy field, after considering the economic status of this renewable resource. The importance of the torrefaction parameters on the final properties of torrefied biomass was also highly considered, as well as the importance of the reactor scales for the definition of ideal protocols.

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“…In this way, torrefied biomass has a wide range of potential uses in industries where coal is typically used as an energy source [62].…”

Section: Economic and Social Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Future Perspectives of Biomass Torrefaction: Review of the Current State-Of-The-Art and Research Development

et al. 2018

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“…Thus, drying pretreatment is essential before biomass pyrolysis (Chen et al 2012b). However, the low moisture content of torrefied rice husk is a major claim made of torrefaction (Agar and Wihersaari 2012). Torrefied rice husk potentially can be kept in heaps outdoors much like fossil coal without the need for costly dedicated storage infrastructure.…”

Section: Hydrophobicity Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Torrefaction of Rice Husk using TG-FTIR and its Effect on the Fuel Characteristics, Carbon, and Energy Yields

et al. 2014

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A torrefaction testing method using TG-FTIR is presented, ensuring accuracy of torrefaction temperature and time. Torrefaction experiments of rice husk were performed at different temperatures (200, 230, 260, and 290 °C) for 30 min. The effect of torrefaction on the fuel characteristics was studied. Yields of carbon and oxygen, as well as solid and energy, were also considered. TG-FTIR analysis showed that in the depolymerization stage of the torrefaction process, CO2 characteristic peaks appeared, while those of carbonyl compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons were weaker. In the devolatilization stage, the characteristic peaks of CO2 and H2O were significant. Meanwhile, carbonyl compounds, aromatic hydrocarbons, and phenols were gradually produced. After that, each absorption peak gradually became weaker. After torrefaction at 290 °C, more than 76.6% of energy was retained in torrefied rice husk, while the solid yield was only 65.6%. 1.8%~52.2% of oxygen in rice husk was released in the torrefaction temperature range of 200 °C to 290 °C. Torrefaction increased the heating value, reduced the oxygen content, and improved the storability, which indicates that torrefaction is an effective way to improve the properties of rice husk.

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“…Ibrahim et al found that increasing the severity of the thermal treatment improves the grindability of both softwoods and hardwoods (Ibrahim et al 2013) while Bridgeman et al found that the higher temperature severity caused torrefied Miscanthus and Willow to exhibit similar grindability as coal (Bridgeman et al 2010). Various authors have found a similar trend with woody as well as herbaceous biomass (Deng et al 2009;Chen et al 2011a, b;Chew and Doshi 2011;van der Stelt et al 2011;Wang et al 2011;Agar and Wihersaari 2012;Kim et al 2012;Shang et al 2012;Lu and Chen 2013;Ohliger et al 2013;Saleh et al 2013;Satpathy et al 2014;Mei et al 2015). However increasing the severity (temperature and time) also translates to more energy use for pretreatment, therefore an optimum level of severity should be developed and this is likely to depend on the type of biomass.…”

Section: Grindabilitymentioning

confidence: 73%

Thermochemical Processing of Biomass

Pisupati

Tchapda

2015

Advances in Bioprocess Technology

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Bio-coal, torrefied lignocellulosic resources – Key properties for its use in co-firing with fossil coal – Their status

Cited by 80 publications

References 14 publications

Future Perspectives of Biomass Torrefaction: Review of the Current State-Of-The-Art and Research Development

Future Perspectives of Biomass Torrefaction: Review of the Current State-Of-The-Art and Research Development

Torrefaction of Rice Husk using TG-FTIR and its Effect on the Fuel Characteristics, Carbon, and Energy Yields

Thermochemical Processing of Biomass

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