IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v207y2020ics0360544220314316.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Impact of post-torrefaction process on biochar formation from wood pellets and self-heating phenomena for production safety

Author

Listed:
  • Arriola, Emmanuel
  • Chen, Wei-Hsin
  • Chih, Yi-Kai
  • De Luna, Mark Daniel
  • Show, Pau Loke

Abstract

The advancement of torrefaction in the industry raises safety issues lately. This work aims to investigate the impact of post-torrefaction upon biochar formation and the self-heating phenomena of torrefied wood pellets. Three operating scenarios are taken into account. Specifically, dried wood pellets are first torrefied in nitrogen at various temperatures (200–300 °C) followed by immediate exposure to N2 or air with/without keeping temperature, namely, the post-torrefaction, to examine the self-heating behavior. Meanwhile, the influences of torrefaction temperature, duration, and self-heating on biochar’s characteristics are analyzed. It is found that self-heating with the highest temperature rise of 61 °C is triggered when the biochars are in an oxidative post-torrefaction process with keeping temperature. Alternatively, oxidative post-torrefaction without keeping temperature can efficiently intensify the pellets’ calorific value up to 42%. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis reveals the depletion of the CO functional group. It is concluded that uncontrolled self-heating in large scale production will lead to combustion and make biochar unsafe. Alternatively, if heat accumulation inside the biochar piles can be prevented, the oxidative environment that causes self-heating can open a lot of research opportunities that can help in the advancement of torrefaction technologies for biomass as an alternative source of energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Arriola, Emmanuel & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Chih, Yi-Kai & De Luna, Mark Daniel & Show, Pau Loke, 2020. "Impact of post-torrefaction process on biochar formation from wood pellets and self-heating phenomena for production safety," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:207:y:2020:i:c:s0360544220314316
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.118324
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544220314316
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2020.118324?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kibria, Ahsan & Akhundjanov, Sherzod B. & Oladi, Reza, 2019. "Fossil fuel share in the energy mix and economic growth," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 253-264.
    2. Álvarez, Ana & Nogueiro, Dositeo & Pizarro, Consuelo & Matos, María & Bueno, Julio L., 2018. "Non-oxidative torrefaction of biomass to enhance its fuel properties," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 1-8.
    3. Zhang, Congyu & Ho, Shih-Hsin & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Xie, Youping & Liu, Zhenquan & Chang, Jo-Shu, 2018. "Torrefaction performance and energy usage of biomass wastes and their correlations with torrefaction severity index," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 598-604.
    4. Masnadi, Mohammad S. & Grace, John R. & Bi, Xiaotao T. & Lim, C. Jim & Ellis, Naoko, 2015. "From fossil fuels towards renewables: Inhibitory and catalytic effects on carbon thermochemical conversion during co-gasification of biomass with fossil fuels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 196-209.
    5. Wang, L. & Barta-Rajnai, E. & Skreiberg, Ø. & Khalil, R. & Czégény, Z. & Jakab, E. & Barta, Z. & Grønli, M., 2018. "Effect of torrefaction on physiochemical characteristics and grindability of stem wood, stump and bark," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C), pages 137-148.
    6. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Hsu, Huan-Chun & Lu, Ke-Miao & Lee, Wen-Jhy & Lin, Ta-Chang, 2011. "Thermal pretreatment of wood (Lauan) block by torrefaction and its influence on the properties of the biomass," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 3012-3021.
    7. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lin, Bo-Jhih & Colin, Baptiste & Chang, Jo-Shu & Pétrissans, Anélie & Bi, Xiaotao & Pétrissans, Mathieu, 2018. "Hygroscopic transformation of woody biomass torrefaction for carbon storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 768-776.
    8. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lu, Ke-Miao & Lee, Wen-Jhy & Liu, Shih-Hsien & Lin, Ta-Chang, 2014. "Non-oxidative and oxidative torrefaction characterization and SEM observations of fibrous and ligneous biomass," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 104-113.
    9. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Kuo, Po-Chih, 2011. "Torrefaction and co-torrefaction characterization of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin as well as torrefaction of some basic constituents in biomass," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 803-811.
    10. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Huang, Ming-Yueh & Chang, Jo-Shu & Chen, Chun-Yen, 2015. "Torrefaction operation and optimization of microalga residue for energy densification and utilization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 622-630.
    11. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lu, Ke-Miao & Tsai, Chi-Ming, 2012. "An experimental analysis on property and structure variations of agricultural wastes undergoing torrefaction," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 318-325.
    12. Park, Sang-Woo & Jang, Cheol-Hyeon & Baek, Kyung-Ryul & Yang, Jae-Kyung, 2012. "Torrefaction and low-temperature carbonization of woody biomass: Evaluation of fuel characteristics of the products," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 676-685.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Silveira, Edgar A. & Macedo, Lucélia A. & Rousset, Patrick & Candelier, Kevin & Galvão, Luiz Gustavo O. & Chaves, Bruno S. & Commandré, Jean-Michel, 2022. "A potassium responsive numerical path to model catalytic torrefaction kinetics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PB).
    2. Bartosz Matyjewicz & Kacper Świechowski & Jacek A. Koziel & Andrzej Białowiec, 2020. "Proof-of-Concept of High-Pressure Torrefaction for Improvement of Pelletized Biomass Fuel Properties and Process Cost Reduction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-27, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Yu, Kai Ling & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Pillejera, Ma Katreena & Bi, Xiaotao & Tran, Khanh-Quang & Pétrissans, Anelie & Pétrissans, Mathieu, 2021. "Variation of lignocellulosic biomass structure from torrefaction: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    2. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Peng, Jianghong & Bi, Xiaotao T., 2015. "A state-of-the-art review of biomass torrefaction, densification and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 847-866.
    3. Gan, Yong Yang & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Ling, Tau Chuan & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Chong, Cheng Tung, 2019. "Torrefaction of de-oiled Jatropha seed kernel biomass for solid fuel production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 367-374.
    4. Batidzirai, B. & Mignot, A.P.R. & Schakel, W.B. & Junginger, H.M. & Faaij, A.P.C., 2013. "Biomass torrefaction technology: Techno-economic status and future prospects," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 196-214.
    5. Devaraja, Udya Madhavi Aravindi & Senadheera, Sachini Supunsala & Gunarathne, Duleeka Sandamali, 2022. "Torrefaction severity and performance of Rubberwood and Gliricidia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 1341-1353.
    6. Jau-Jang Lu & Wei-Hsin Chen, 2013. "Product Yields and Characteristics of Corncob Waste under Various Torrefaction Atmospheres," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-15, December.
    7. Wang, Ziliang & Lim, C. Jim & Grace, John R., 2019. "A comprehensive study of sawdust torrefaction in a dual-compartment slot-rectangular spouted bed reactor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    8. Wilk, Małgorzata & Magdziarz, Aneta & Kalemba, Izabela, 2015. "Characterisation of renewable fuels' torrefaction process with different instrumental techniques," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 259-269.
    9. Zhang, Congyu & Ho, Shih-Hsin & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Fu, Yujie & Chang, Jo-Shu & Bi, Xiaotao, 2019. "Oxidative torrefaction of biomass nutshells: Evaluations of energy efficiency as well as biochar transportation and storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 428-441.
    10. Oh, Kwang Cheol & Park, Sun Young & Kim, Seok Jun & Choi, Yun Sung & Lee, Chung Geon & Cho, La Hoon & Kim, Dae Hyun, 2019. "Development and validation of mass reduction model to optimize torrefaction for agricultural byproduct biomass," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 988-999.
    11. Tran, Khanh-Quang & Luo, Xun & Seisenbaeva, Gulaim & Jirjis, Raida, 2013. "Stump torrefaction for bioenergy application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 539-546.
    12. Zhang, Congyu & Yang, Wu & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Ho, Shih-Hsin & Pétrissans, Anelie & Pétrissans, Mathieu, 2022. "Effect of torrefaction on the structure and reactivity of rice straw as well as life cycle assessment of torrefaction process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    13. Singh, Rishikesh Kumar & Sarkar, Arnab & Chakraborty, Jyoti Prasad, 2020. "Effect of torrefaction on the physicochemical properties of eucalyptus derived biofuels: estimation of kinetic parameters and optimizing torrefaction using response surface methodology (RSM)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    14. Safar, Michal & Lin, Bo-Jhih & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Langauer, David & Chang, Jo-Shu & Raclavska, H. & Pétrissans, Anélie & Rousset, Patrick & Pétrissans, Mathieu, 2019. "Catalytic effects of potassium on biomass pyrolysis, combustion and torrefaction," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 346-355.
    15. Singh, Rishikesh Kumar & Chakraborty, Jyoti Prasad & Sarkar, Arnab, 2020. "Optimizing the torrefaction of pigeon pea stalk (cajanus cajan) using response surface methodology (RSM) and characterization of solid, liquid and gaseous products," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 677-690.
    16. Niu, Qi & Ronsse, Frederik & Qi, Zhiyong & Zhang, Dongdong, 2022. "Fast torrefaction of large biomass particles by superheated steam: Enhanced solid products for multipurpose production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 552-563.
    17. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Liu, Shih-Hsien & Juang, Tarng-Tzuen & Tsai, Chi-Ming & Zhuang, Yi-Qing, 2015. "Characterization of solid and liquid products from bamboo torrefaction," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 829-835.
    18. da Silva, Jean Constantino Gomes & Pereira, Jefferson Leque Claudio & Andersen, Silvia Layara Floriani & Moreira, Regina de Fatima Peralta Muniz & José, Humberto Jorge, 2020. "Torrefaction of ponkan peel waste in tubular fixed-bed reactor: In-depth bioenergetic evaluation of torrefaction products," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    19. Zhang, Congyu & Ho, Shih-Hsin & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Wang, Rupeng, 2021. "Comparative indexes, fuel characterization and thermogravimetric- Fourier transform infrared spectrometer-mass spectrogram (TG-FTIR-MS) analysis of microalga Nannochloropsis Oceanica under oxidative a," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    20. Catarina Viegas & Catarina Nobre & Ricardo Correia & Luísa Gouveia & Margarida Gonçalves, 2021. "Optimization of Biochar Production by Co-Torrefaction of Microalgae and Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Response Surface Methodology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-23, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:207:y:2020:i:c:s0360544220314316. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.