Solar Torrefaction of Solid Olive Mill Residue

Abstract

Torrefaction is a thermochemical pretreatment method for improving fuel characteristics of biomass. The process is conducted between 200 and 300 °C under inert atmosphere. The relatively low process temperature of torrefaction makes the use of solar energy suitable with low costs. In this study, solid olive mill residue (SOMR) was used to test the feasibility of using solar energy in the torrefaction process. SOMR is an agricultural waste obtained from olive oil extraction, and it is mainly produced in the Mediterranean region, which has high solar energy potential. In this study, the torrefaction of SOMR was conducted by concentrating solar energy with a parabolic dish concentrator, at 250 °C for 10 min. The fuel properties of solar torrefaction products were compared with raw SOMR. Solar torrefaction yielded a deoxygenated solid fuel with increased carbon content and higher heating value (HHV), similar to torrefaction.

Torrefaction of Various Types of Biomass in Laboratory Scale, Batch-Wise Isothermal Rotary Reactor and Pilot Scale, Continuous Multi-Stage Tape Reactor

“…Study concluded that the optimum conditions for the torrefaction of olive waste would be temperature of 280°C and residence time of 30 min [36]. In another study Cellatoglu and Ilkan assessed torrefaction of olive waste in a novel type of reactor using solar energy, concentrated by a parabolic dish, to deliver the heat for the process [37]. The study demonstrated that solar energy can be stored in a solid fuel, by being used as a source of the process heat [37].…”

“…In another study Cellatoglu and Ilkan assessed torrefaction of olive waste in a novel type of reactor using solar energy, concentrated by a parabolic dish, to deliver the heat for the process [37]. The study demonstrated that solar energy can be stored in a solid fuel, by being used as a source of the process heat [37]. This would enable the use of torgas for other purposes such as biorefinery feedstock.…”

Investigation of Quantity, Quality and Energy Content of Indigenous Sugarcane Trash in Naoshehro Feroze District, Sindh

“…The equipment used was a drying oven, china crucible of 32cc volume, electronic micro balance and desiccators following the ASTM-E871. The MC of the samples was determined by (1) [16]:…”

“…The equipment used was chromium-nickel crucible with lid and an electrically operated electric furnace. The VM content of the samples was determined by (2) [16]:…”