IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v178y2021icp766-774.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Pelleting torrefied biomass at pilot-scale – Quality and implications for co-firing

Author

Listed:
  • Agar, David A.
  • Rudolfsson, Magnus
  • Lavergne, Simon
  • Melkior, Thierry
  • Da Silva Perez, Denilson
  • Dupont, Capucine
  • Campargue, Matthieu
  • Kalén, Gunnar
  • Larsson, Sylvia H.

Abstract

The co-firing of solid biofuels in coal plants is an attractive and fast-track means of cutting emissions but its potential is linked to biomass densification. For torrefied materials this topic is under-represented in literature. This pilot-scale (121–203 kg h−1) pelleting study generated detailed knowledge on the densification of torrefied biomass compared to untreated biomass. Four feedstock with high supply availability (beech, poplar, wheat straw and corn cob) were studied in their untreated and torrefied forms. Systematic methods were used to produce 180 batches of 8 mm dia. pellets using press channel length (PCL) and moisture content (MC) ranges of 30–60 mm and 7.3–16.6% (wet basis) respectively. Analysis showed that moderate degrees of torrefaction (250–280 °C, 20–75 min) strongly affected pelleting behaviour. The highest quality black pellets had a mechanical durability and bulk density range of 87.5–98.7% and 662–697 kg m−3 respectively. Pelleting energy using torrefied feedstock varied from −15 to +53 kWh t−1 from untreated with increases in production fines. Optimal pelleting MC and PCL were reduced significantly for torrefied feedstock and pellet quality was characterised by a decrease in mechanical durability and an increase in bulk density. Energy densities of 11.9–13.2 GJ m−3 (as received) were obtained.

Suggested Citation

  • Agar, David A. & Rudolfsson, Magnus & Lavergne, Simon & Melkior, Thierry & Da Silva Perez, Denilson & Dupont, Capucine & Campargue, Matthieu & Kalén, Gunnar & Larsson, Sylvia H., 2021. "Pelleting torrefied biomass at pilot-scale – Quality and implications for co-firing," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 766-774.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:178:y:2021:i:c:p:766-774
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.06.094
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148121009605
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2021.06.094?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. Kjarstad, Jan & Johnsson, Filip, 2007. "The European power plant infrastructure--Presentation of the Chalmers energy infrastructure database with applications," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 3643-3664, July.
    2. Rudolfsson, Magnus & Borén, Eleonora & Pommer, Linda & Nordin, Anders & Lestander, Torbjörn A., 2017. "Combined effects of torrefaction and pelletization parameters on the quality of pellets produced from torrefied biomass," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 414-424.
    3. 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.
    4. Li, Jun & Brzdekiewicz, Artur & Yang, Weihong & Blasiak, Wlodzimierz, 2012. "Co-firing based on biomass torrefaction in a pulverized coal boiler with aim of 100% fuel switching," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 344-354.
    5. Larsson, Sylvia H. & Rudolfsson, Magnus & Nordwaeger, Martin & Olofsson, Ingemar & Samuelsson, Robert, 2013. "Effects of moisture content, torrefaction temperature, and die temperature in pilot scale pelletizing of torrefied Norway spruce," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 827-832.
    6. Prins, Mark J. & Ptasinski, Krzysztof J. & Janssen, Frans J.J.G., 2006. "More efficient biomass gasification via torrefaction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(15), pages 3458-3470.
    7. Rudolfsson, Magnus & Larsson, Sylvia H. & Lestander, Torbjörn A., 2017. "New tool for improved control of sub-process interactions in rotating ring die pelletizing of torrefied biomass," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 835-840.
    8. Agar, D. & Gil, J. & Sanchez, D. & Echeverria, I. & Wihersaari, M., 2015. "Torrefied versus conventional pellet production – A comparative study on energy and emission balance based on pilot-plant data and EU sustainability criteria," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 621-630.
    9. Uslu, Ayla & Faaij, André P.C. & Bergman, P.C.A., 2008. "Pre-treatment technologies, and their effect on international bioenergy supply chain logistics. Techno-economic evaluation of torrefaction, fast pyrolysis and pelletisation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(8), pages 1206-1223.
    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. San Miguel, G. & Sánchez, F. & Pérez, A. & Velasco, L., 2022. "One-step torrefaction and densification of woody and herbaceous biomass feedstocks," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 825-840.
    2. Cheng, Wei & Shao, Jing'ai & Zhu, Youjian & Zhang, Wennan & Jiang, Hao & Hu, Junhao & Zhang, Xiong & Yang, Haiping & Chen, Hanping, 2022. "Effect of oxidative torrefaction on particulate matter emission from agricultural biomass pellet combustion in comparison with non-oxidative torrefaction," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 39-51.

    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. 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.
    2. Niu, Yanqing & Lv, Yuan & Lei, Yu & Liu, Siqi & Liang, Yang & Wang, Denghui & Hui, Shi'en, 2019. "Biomass torrefaction: properties, applications, challenges, and economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    3. Krochmalny, Krystian & Niedzwiecki, Lukasz & Pelińska-Olko, Ewa & Wnukowski, Mateusz & Czajka, Krzysztof & Tkaczuk-Serafin, Monika & Pawlak-Kruczek, Halina, 2020. "Determination of the marker for automation of torrefaction and slow pyrolysis processes – A case study of spherical wood particles," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 350-360.
    4. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Kuo, Po-Chih & Liu, Shih-Hsien & Wu, Wei, 2014. "Thermal characterization of oil palm fiber and eucalyptus in torrefaction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 40-48.
    5. Hao Luo & Lukasz Niedzwiecki & Amit Arora & Krzysztof Mościcki & Halina Pawlak-Kruczek & Krystian Krochmalny & Marcin Baranowski & Mayank Tiwari & Anshul Sharma & Tanuj Sharma & Zhimin Lu, 2020. "Influence of Torrefaction and Pelletizing of Sawdust on the Design Parameters of a Fixed Bed Gasifier," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Sermyagina, Ekaterina & Saari, Jussi & Zakeri, Behnam & Kaikko, Juha & Vakkilainen, Esa, 2015. "Effect of heat integration method and torrefaction temperature on the performance of an integrated CHP-torrefaction plant," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 24-34.
    7. Abdulyekeen, Kabir Abogunde & Umar, Ahmad Abulfathi & Patah, Muhamad Fazly Abdul & Daud, Wan Mohd Ashri Wan, 2021. "Torrefaction of biomass: Production of enhanced solid biofuel from municipal solid waste and other types of biomass," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    8. Chai, Li & Saffron, Christopher M., 2016. "Comparing pelletization and torrefaction depots: Optimization of depot capacity and biomass moisture to determine the minimum production cost," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 387-395.
    9. Miedema, Jan H. & Benders, René M.J. & Moll, Henri C. & Pierie, Frank, 2017. "Renew, reduce or become more efficient? The climate contribution of biomass co-combustion in a coal-fired power plant," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 873-885.
    10. Rudolfsson, Magnus & Stelte, Wolfgang & Lestander, Torbjörn A., 2015. "Process optimization of combined biomass torrefaction and pelletization for fuel pellet production – A parametric study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 378-384.
    11. Grigiante, M. & Brighenti, M. & Antolini, D., 2016. "A generalized activation energy equation for torrefaction of hardwood biomasses based on isoconversional methods," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 1318-1326.
    12. Rudolfsson, Magnus & Borén, Eleonora & Pommer, Linda & Nordin, Anders & Lestander, Torbjörn A., 2017. "Combined effects of torrefaction and pelletization parameters on the quality of pellets produced from torrefied biomass," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 414-424.
    13. Doddapaneni, Tharaka Rama Krishna C. & Praveenkumar, Ramasamy & Tolvanen, Henrik & Rintala, Jukka & Konttinen, Jukka, 2018. "Techno-economic evaluation of integrating torrefaction with anaerobic digestion," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 272-284.
    14. Svanberg, Martin & Ellis, Joanne & Lundgren, Joakim & Landälv, Ingvar, 2018. "Renewable methanol as a fuel for the shipping industry," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 1217-1228.
    15. Rentizelas, Athanasios A. & Li, Jun, 2016. "Techno-economic and carbon emissions analysis of biomass torrefaction downstream in international bioenergy supply chains for co-firing," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 129-142.
    16. Mateusz Jackowski & Łukasz Niedźwiecki & Krzysztof Mościcki & Amit Arora & Muhammad Azam Saeed & Krystian Krochmalny & Jakub Pawliczek & Anna Trusek & Magdalena Lech & Jan Skřínský & Jakub Čespiva & J, 2021. "Synergetic Co-Production of Beer Colouring Agent and Solid Fuel from Brewers’ Spent Grain in the Circular Economy Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-17, September.
    17. Tran, Khanh-Quang & Luo, Xun & Seisenbaeva, Gulaim & Jirjis, Raida, 2013. "Stump torrefaction for bioenergy application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 539-546.
    18. Chen, Lichun & Wen, Chang & Wang, Wenyu & Liu, Tianyu & Liu, Enze & Liu, Haowen & Li, Zexin, 2020. "Combustion behaviour of biochars thermally pretreated via torrefaction, slow pyrolysis, or hydrothermal carbonisation and co-fired with pulverised coal," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 867-877.
    19. Rousset, P. & Fernandes, K. & Vale, A. & Macedo, L. & Benoist, A., 2013. "Change in particle size distribution of Torrefied biomass during cold fluidization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 71-77.
    20. Leonel J. R. Nunes & João C. O. Matias, 2020. "Biomass Torrefaction as a Key Driver for the Sustainable Development and Decarbonization of Energy Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-9, January.

    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:renene:v:178:y:2021:i:c:p:766-774. 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/renewable-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.