Biomass torrefaction technology: Techno-economic status and future prospects

Batidzirai, Bothwell; Mignot, Agnès; Schakel, Wouter; Junginger, Martin; Faaij, André

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2013.09.035

Cited by 280 publications

(213 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…The economy of scale, on a series of different torrefaction plant sizes using the common scaling factor of 0.7, is shown in Table 5 (Batidzirai et al 2013). It is important to note that the changes in the operation cost by increasing the plant size are not all linear.…”

Section: Fig 4 Torrefaction Cost Components By Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Review of Torrefied Wood Economics

et al. 2017

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This literature review aims to provide a systematic analysis of studies on the financial aspects of producing torrefied biomass and torrefied pellets. There are substantial differences in the specific technologies, operating conditions, scale of the demonstration, and properties of biomass feedstock. There is a lack of reports that consider the entire supply chain, which is required for an understanding of the high-cost steps. To obtain a robust view of the torrefaction processes' financial prospects the authors have used both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed papers that allowed the researchers to include thirty-one papers in this analysis. All these studies establish that the prices of the biomass and the final torrefied product are critical. The product yield and caloric content, which are related to pricing, were also key financial drivers. The lower freight costs due to high-energy density of the torrefied pellets was recognized and calculated, but some other benefits were not quantified. There is a need for a detailed and flexible torrefaction financial model that includes variations in financial assumptions and biomass properties. Given the uncertainty around many specific steps, there is value in including stochastic tools in these financial analyses.

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Section: Fig 4 Torrefaction Cost Components By Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Review of Torrefied Wood Economics

et al. 2017

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“…The moisture content of torrefied material used in furnaces (7 to 8%) can be lower than that of standard pellets and briquettes (8 to 10%). During thermal treatment, the biomass loses more hemicellulose than cellulose and lignin (Batidzirai et al 2013). Subsequently, the calorific value of the torrefied pellets increases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it is expected that most of the pellets will be converted in the integrated/CHP plant for burning, as this process has been successfully commercialized. Batidzirai et al (2013) estimated that the cost of pellet production would range from 2.8 to 4.2 € /GJ. In the UE, pellet production is estimated to cost 2.72 €/kg.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects and Modeling of Sawdust Torrefaction for Beech Pellets

Lunguleasa¹,

Spirchez²,

Griu³

2015

BioResources

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This study was done to determine the effects of beech sawdust torrefaction on pellets obtained in the laboratory. Torrefied beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) sawdust was used to make pellets. This species was chosen based on the existence of a market for such micro-briquettes. Rigorous comparisons between torrefied and non-torrefied pellets were conducted. It was found that treating the sawdust had both beneficial and non-beneficial effects, but the total effect is positive. Economical elements were also considered, emphasizing the use of wood biomass as fuel. Theoretical and experimental aspects are taken into consideration, the experimental results being used to validate the theoretical model. The experiments performed demonstrate that heat treatment can add value if it meets certain parameters, such as a maximum temperature of 260 °C for 5 min. Heat treatment of beech sawdust in the form of pellets or briquettes was shown to be a simple, viable, effective treatment because the heating process improves the calorific value and other relevant properties of the torrefied sawdust.

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“…Torrefied biomass exhibits an improvement in energy density and grindability. In comparison with raw biomass, which has an energy density of 10 to 11 GJ/m 3 , the energy content of the torrefied biomass is approximately 18 to 20 GJ/m 3 , with the potential to reduce transportation costs by 40% to 50% (Chiang et al 2012;Batidzirai et al 2013;Nunes et al 2014). Torrefied biomass can be pulverized with a coal grinder, which lowers the handling cost when co-processing with coal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Co-Gasification Reactivity of Torrefied Jatropha Seed Cake with Illinois #6 Coal Char

Qin¹,

Zhao²,

Wiltowski³

et al. 2016

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Coal and torrefied biomass co-gasification is one of the potential solutions to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. For this study, Jatropha seed cake was torrefied at a temperature range of 200 to 300 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. The torrefied material was then co-pyrolyzed and isothermally co-gasified at 900 °C with two Illinois (IL) #6 coal chars in a fixed-bed reactor connected to an on-line gas chromatography analyzer. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide were the primary gas products from the torrefaction process. Kinetic models, such as the shrinking core model, the homogenous model, and the catalysis-controlled model, were used to analyze the gasification mechanism. The results showed that the shrinking core and homogenous models provided the best fits for the gasification reaction data. Jatropha seed cake torrefied at 260 and 280 °C exhibited the best reaction activity with the IL #6 coal chars. The reactivities of coal char with torrefied biomass obtained at 200 and 300 °C were lower in comparison with the others.

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Biomass torrefaction technology: Techno-economic status and future prospects

Cited by 280 publications

References 80 publications

Systematic Review of Torrefied Wood Economics

Systematic Review of Torrefied Wood Economics

Effects and Modeling of Sawdust Torrefaction for Beech Pellets

Investigation of Co-Gasification Reactivity of Torrefied Jatropha Seed Cake with Illinois #6 Coal Char

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