Proof-of-Concept of High-Pressure Torrefaction for Improvement of Pelletized Biomass Fuel Properties and Process Cost Reduction

Bartosz Matyjewicz, Kacper Świechowski, Jacek A. Koziel and Andrzej Białowiec
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Bartosz Matyjewicz: Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland
Kacper Świechowski: Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland
Jacek A. Koziel: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Andrzej Białowiec: Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 18, 1-27

Abstract: This paper provides a comprehensive description of the new approach to biomass torrefaction under high-pressure conditions. A new type of laboratory-scale high-pressure reactor was designed and built. The aim of the study was to compare the high-pressure torrefaction with conventional near atmospheric pressure torrefaction. Specifically, we investigated the torrefaction process influence on the fuel properties of wooden-pellet for two different pressure regimes up to 15 bar. All torrefaction processes were conducted at 300 °C, at 30 min of residence time. The initial analysis of the increased pressure impact on the torrefaction parameters: mass yields, energy densification ratio, energy yield, process energy consumption, the proximate analysis, high heating value, and energy needed to grind torrefied pellets was completed. The results show that high-pressure torrefaction needed up to six percent less energy, whereas energy densification in the pellet was ~12% higher compared to conventional torrefaction. The presence of pressure during torrefaction did not have an impact on the energy required for pellet grinding ( p < 0.05).

Keywords: pressure torrefaction; pellet; renewable energy sources; energy consumption; grinding; thermogravimetric analysis; proximate analysis; high heating value; torrefied biomass; biochar (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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