Optimum Torrefaction Range for Macaw Husks Aiming Its Use as a Solid Biofuel

Abstract

Biomass feedstock is broadly available in many countries and a significant amount of residual biomass comes from agriculture and forest crops. This study aims to identify a consistent criteria for optimize Macaw husks torrefaction process maximizing the energy content and minimizing the mass loss. The optimization criteria is based on the Severity Factor (SF), HHVTorrified and ηSolid-Yield. The energy density (ρEnergy) does not provide consistent and indisputable evidence as an optimization criteria; the same applies to Energy-Mass Co-benefit Index (EMCI) and ηEnergy-Yield. This investigation combined few temperatures (180°C, 220°C, and 260°C) with different residence times (20, 40, and 60 min) and found that the optimum torrefaction range for Macaw husk is 220