Predicting the energy properties of torrefied debarked pine pellets from torrefaction temperature and residence time

Andrés Iglesias Canabal, Jorge Proupín Castiñeiras, José Antonio Rodríguez Añón, Cristina Eimil Fraga and Roque Rodríguez Soalleiro

Renewable Energy, 2023, vol. 218, issue C

Abstract: In this study, high quality radiata pine pellets were torrefied at a range of temperatures (T = 210, 240, 270 and 300 °C) and residence times (t = 20, 40 and 60 min). The effects of these treatments on mass yield (MY), ash content (A), volatile matter (VM) and fixed carbon (FC), high heating value on a dry basis (HHVdb) and low heating value on a wet basis (LHVwb) were investigated, and models were constructed to predict these energy properties from T and t. Untreated pellets were analysed as control samples. Threshold conditions of 240 °C 40 min yielded significant increases in HHVdb and carbon content and a significant decrease in oxygen content. This combination significantly increased A and FC and significantly decreased VM. Logistics models using T, t, t × T and T2 were able to predict A accurately, with no bias, whereas FC values tended to be underestimated. The variation in HHVdb and LHVwb was explained by linear models with t and t × T as variables. Use of the models enabled definition of torrefaction severity that ensures an A below 0.7% and a LHVwb value 30% higher than obtained with raw pine pellets. Torrefaction conditions of T = 260–270 °C and t = 50–60 min are proposed.

Keywords: Modelling pellet properties; Bioenergy; Torrefaction; Pelletization; Energy properties; Solid biofuel heating values (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:218:y:2023:i:c:s0960148123012612

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.119346

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