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A review on torrefied biomass pellets as a sustainable alternative to coal in power generation

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  • Nunes, L.J.R.
  • Matias, J.C.O.
  • Catalão, J.P.S.

Abstract

The torrefaction of biomass is a thermochemical process based on the de composition of hemicellulose, which is the dominant reaction, while the cellulose and lignin fractions remain almost unaffected. Torrefaction of biomass improves its physical properties like grindability, particle shape, size, and distribution, pelletability, and composition properties like moisture, carbon and hydrogen contents, and calorific value. The already higher energy density can be increased further by a pelletizing step after torrefaction. These improved properties make torrefied biomass particularly suitable for co-firing in power plants. Co-firing biomass with fossil fuels is one of the solutions to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of existing power plants. Several studies on torrefaction of biomass for heat and power applications have been documented in the literature, which need to be reviewed and analyzed for further actions in the field, because significant gaps remain in the understanding of the biomass torrefaction process, which necessitate further study, mainly concerning the characterization of the torrefaction chemical reactions, investigation of equipment performance and design, and elucidation of supply chain impacts. This is the main objective of the present review study, which consists in three parts. The first part focuses on the mechanism of biomass torrefaction. It is followed by a review of biomass co-firing with coal. Finally, market opportunities for the process are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Nunes, L.J.R. & Matias, J.C.O. & Catalão, J.P.S., 2014. "A review on torrefied biomass pellets as a sustainable alternative to coal in power generation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 153-160.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:40:y:2014:i:c:p:153-160
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.181
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    3. 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.
    4. Martin J. Taylor & Hassan A. Alabdrabalameer & Vasiliki Skoulou, 2019. "Choosing Physical, Physicochemical and Chemical Methods of Pre-Treating Lignocellulosic Wastes to Repurpose into Solid Fuels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-27, June.
    5. Sahoo, Kamalakanta & Bilek, Edward & Bergman, Richard & Mani, Sudhagar, 2019. "Techno-economic analysis of producing solid biofuels and biochar from forest residues using portable systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 578-590.
    6. Otavio Cavalett & Sigurd Norem Slettmo & Francesco Cherubini, 2018. "Energy and Environmental Aspects of Using Eucalyptus from Brazil for Energy and Transportation Services in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-18, November.
    7. Masami Ashizawa & Maromu Otaka & Hiromi Yamamoto & Atsushi Akisawa, 2022. "CO 2 Emissions and Economy of Co-Firing Carbonized Wood Pellets at Coal-Fired Power Plants: The Case of Overseas Production of Pellets and Use in Japan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-10, February.
    8. Jian Cheng & Min Xie & Li Xu & Lei Zhang & Xiaohan Ren, 2021. "Chlorine Release from Co-Pyrolysis of Corn Straw and Lignite in Nitrogen and Oxidative Pyrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-15, December.
    9. Kuznetsov, G.V. & Yankovsky, S.A. & Tolokolnikov, A.A. & Zenkov, A.V. & Cherednik, I.V., 2020. "Conditions and characteristics of mixed fuel granules ignition based on coal and finely dispersed wood," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    10. Lanfranchi, Maurizio & Giannetto, Carlo & De Pascale, Angelina, 2016. "Economic analysis and energy valorization of by-products of the olive oil process: “Valdemone DOP” extra virgin olive oil," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 1227-1236.
    11. Helder Filipe dos Santos Viana & Abel Martins Rodrigues & Radu Godina & João Carlos de Oliveira Matias & Leonel Jorge Ribeiro Nunes, 2018. "Evaluation of the Physical, Chemical and Thermal Properties of Portuguese Maritime Pine Biomass," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-15, August.
    12. 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.
    13. Barskov, Stan & Zappi, Mark & Buchireddy, Prashanth & Dufreche, Stephen & Guillory, John & Gang, Daniel & Hernandez, Rafael & Bajpai, Rakesh & Baudier, Jeff & Cooper, Robbyn & Sharp, Richard, 2019. "Torrefaction of biomass: A review of production methods for biocoal from cultured and waste lignocellulosic feedstocks," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 624-642.
    14. Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Tomasz Noszczyk & Agata Mostek, 2021. "Mechanical Durability and Grindability of Pellets after Torrefaction Process," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-16, October.
    15. Yun, Huimin & Clift, Roland & Bi, Xiaotao, 2020. "Process simulation, techno-economic evaluation and market analysis of supply chains for torrefied wood pellets from British Columbia: Impacts of plant configuration and distance to market," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    16. 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).
    17. Nunes, L.J.R. & Matias, J.C.O. & Catalão, J.P.S., 2016. "Biomass combustion systems: A review on the physical and chemical properties of the ashes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 235-242.
    18. 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).
    19. Jorge Miguel Carneiro Ribeiro & Radu Godina & João Carlos de Oliveira Matias & Leonel Jorge Ribeiro Nunes, 2018. "Future Perspectives of Biomass Torrefaction: Review of the Current State-Of-The-Art and Research Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-17, July.
    20. Weronika Tulej & Szymon Głowacki & Andrzej Bryś & Mariusz Sojak & Piotr Wichowski & Krzysztof Górnicki, 2021. "Research on Determination of Water Diffusion Coefficient in Single Particles of Wood Biomass Dried Using Convective Drying Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-12, February.
    21. Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Tomasz Noszczyk & Martyna Smędzik, 2019. "The Influence of Torrefaction Temperature on Hydrophobic Properties of Waste Biomass from Food Processing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-17, December.
    22. Anukam, Anthony & Mamphweli, Sampson & Reddy, Prashant & Meyer, Edson & Okoh, Omobola, 2016. "Pre-processing of sugarcane bagasse for gasification in a downdraft biomass gasifier system: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 775-801.
    23. Chen, Yun-Chun & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lin, Bo-Jhih & Chang, Jo-Shu & Ong, Hwai Chyuan, 2016. "Impact of torrefaction on the composition, structure and reactivity of a microalga residue," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 110-119.

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