Meta-analysis of torrefaction performance indicators for biochar energy optimization

Congyu Zhang, Xin Wang, Wei-Hsin Chen, Anelie Pétrissans, Mathieu Pétrissans and Ying Zhang

Energy, 2025, vol. 335, issue C

Abstract: Investigating torrefaction performance indicators across different biomass species holds immense importance for comprehending the fuel properties of torrefied biochar. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis and integration of biomass torrefaction data to understand the fuel property variations via a meta-analysis method with 92 papers of 958 datasets. The findings reveal distinct mean effect sizes for four torrefaction performance indicators of solid yield, higher heating value (HHV), enhancement factor, and energy yield across various biomass species. Specifically, the energy yield values are −14.9056 (confidence interval, CI: −16.6035 to −13.2077; all biomass), −13.4139 (CI: −16.1968 to −10.6311; woody biomass), −11.2601 (CI: −14.1290 to −8.3912; algal biomass), and −16.3644 (CI: −18.5968 to −14.1319; cellulosic biomass), respectively. The analysis indicates strong positive correlations (R2 > 0.96) for Hedges'd versus solid yield, enhancement factor, and energy yield. Furthermore, the distribution characteristics of datasets for the four torrefaction performance indicators suggest that the modes are (74 %, 20 MJ/kg, 1.1, 86 %) for all biomass, (82 %, 21 MJ/kg, 1.1, 84 %) for woody biomass, (77 %, 22 MJ/kg, 1.15, 87 %) for algal biomass, and (74 %, 21 MJ/kg, 1.1, 86 %) for cellulosic biomass, respectively. Significant positive correlations are identified between solid yield and energy yield. The obtained results are of guiding significance for torrefaction parameter optimization.

Keywords: Torrefaction; Biochar; Meta-analysis; Biomass energy; Sustainable fuel optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:335:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225037855

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.138143

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