Application of Torrefaction for Improved Fuel Properties of Sunflower Husks

Oleg Milovanov, Dmitry Klimov, Sergey Kuzmin, Sergey Grigoriev, Alexander Mikhalev, Rafail Isemin () and Mathieu Brulé
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Oleg Milovanov: National Research University “Moscow Power Engineering Institute”, 111250 Moscow, Russia
Dmitry Klimov: National Research University “Moscow Power Engineering Institute”, 111250 Moscow, Russia
Sergey Kuzmin: National Research University “Moscow Power Engineering Institute”, 111250 Moscow, Russia
Sergey Grigoriev: National Research University “Moscow Power Engineering Institute”, 111250 Moscow, Russia
Alexander Mikhalev: Clean Energy LLC, 392032 Tambov, Russia
Rafail Isemin: Independent Researcher, 392000 Tambov, Russia
Mathieu Brulé: Independent Researcher, 11100 Narbonne, France

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-13

Abstract: Sunflower husk (SFH) contributes 45–60% of the total sunflower seed weight and is a by-product of the sunflower oil industry. Among other elements, SFH ash contains K, Na, Ca and Mg. These elements cause rapid growth of ash deposits on convective heating surfaces of the boiler, resulting in reduced efficiency. The aim of this paper is to examine the possibility of producing quality fuel from SFH by its pretreatment with the technique of torrefaction in a fluidized bed in superheated water vapor. Continuous monitoring of the innovative SFH torrefaction process allowed for the determination of optimal process durations. SFH could be converted into a biofuel, having high calorific value and suitable characteristics for co-combustion with coal. Furthermore, the torrefaction in a fluidized bed of superheated water vapor allowed for a 6-fold reduction in the required process duration in comparison with data reported from the literature for the process of torrefaction in a dense bed, along with a 3-fold reduction in the chlorine content in SFH ash. These effects are beneficial to resolve the problem of corrosion on convective heating surfaces of boilers. However, torrefaction in superheated water vapor did not significantly reduce the content of alkaline and alkaline-earth elements in SFH ash. Still, this issue may be alleviated by significantly increasing the duration of SFH pretreatment.

Keywords: fluidized bed; sunflower husk; torrefaction (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: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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