Torrefaction as a Pretreatment Technology for Chlorine Elimination from Biomass: A Case Study Using Eucalyptus globulus Labill

Letícia C. R. Sá, Liliana M. E. F. Loureiro, Leonel J. R. Nunes and Adélio M. M. Mendes
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Letícia C. R. Sá: YGE—Yser Green Energy SA, Área de Acolhimento Empresarial de Úl/Loureiro, Lote 17, 3720-075 Loureiro OAZ, Portugal
Liliana M. E. F. Loureiro: YGE—Yser Green Energy SA, Área de Acolhimento Empresarial de Úl/Loureiro, Lote 17, 3720-075 Loureiro OAZ, Portugal
Leonel J. R. Nunes: proMetheus—Unidade de Investigação em Materiais, Energia e Ambiente para a Sustentabilidade, Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua da Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Alvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Adélio M. M. Mendes: LEPAE—Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente e Energia, FEUP—Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Resources, 2020, vol. 9, issue 5, 1-25

Abstract: The recognition of the effects of fossil fuel consumption resulted in several agreements, legislation, and projects focusing on the minimization of impacts caused. Biomass is a versatile energy source. Eucalyptus is a fast-growing crop, mainly used by the pulp and paper industry. Torrefaction is a thermochemical conversion process that can improve biomass fuel properties, enabling its use in the energy sector. However, correct management of biomass is crucial for the sustainability of this process. Torrefaction can also be used to eliminate some elements that can hinder subsequent conversion processes. One example is chlorine, which, during combustion or gasification processes, can form hydrochloric acid that leads to corrosion of metal surfaces. In this context, this research aimed to determine the temperature at which chlorine is eliminated during torrefaction process. For this purpose, several tests were performed at different temperatures and residence times. All samples were analyzed before and after the process, and were characterized by proximate and elemental analysis, calorimetry, and chlorine titration. The analysis showed that, even for the lowest torrefaction temperature used, chlorine content was already below the detection value, showing that, even at lower temperatures, thermal treatment is an efficient technique for the elimination of chlorine from biomass.

Keywords: eucalyptus; biomass energy; torrefaction; chlorine content (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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