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Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature and Wood Species on the Properties of Biochar Pellets

Author

Listed:
  • Safa Arous

    (Institut de Recherche sur les Forêts, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 445 Boul. University, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E4, Canada)

  • Ahmed Koubaa

    (Institut de Recherche sur les Forêts, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 445 Boul. University, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E4, Canada)

  • Hassine Bouafif

    (Centre Technologique des Résidus Industriels (CTRI), Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E5, Canada)

  • Besma Bouslimi

    (Institut de Recherche sur les Forêts, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 445 Boul. University, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E4, Canada)

  • Flavia Lega Braghiroli

    (Centre Technologique des Résidus Industriels (CTRI), Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E5, Canada)

  • Chedly Bradai

    (National Engineering School of Sfax (ENIS), University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia)

Abstract

Thermal treatments such as torrefaction and fast pyrolysis are commonly employed methods to produce biofuels with high-energetic properties. In this study, wood chips were heat-treated at different temperatures of torrefaction (315 °C) and fast pyrolysis (400 and 454 °C) to form energetic pellets. Three softwoods, jack pine (JP), balsam fir (BF), and black spruce (BS), were evaluated. Pellets are produced using 20% moisture content and 15% pyrolytic lignin as a binder. Untreated- and treated-wood residues were characterized by surface chemistry, elemental analysis, and chemical composition, whereas all pellets were characterized in terms of density, high heat value (HHV), and durability. Results showed that both thermal treatments caused significant changes in the physicochemical structure of wood residues. Using temperatures higher than 315 °C leads to the disappearance of hydroxyl groups, a decrease in oxygen and hydrogen contents, and an increase in carbon content. Regardless of the treatment temperature, pellets made from heat-treated JP had the best durability (93%). In contrast, the calorific values of wood-treated pellets reached up to 31 MJ/kg, compared to untreated-wood pellets (19 MJ/kg). Thus, the densification of the thermal-treated wood residues represents a potential approach for producing biofuels with high energetic value.

Suggested Citation

  • Safa Arous & Ahmed Koubaa & Hassine Bouafif & Besma Bouslimi & Flavia Lega Braghiroli & Chedly Bradai, 2021. "Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature and Wood Species on the Properties of Biochar Pellets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:20:p:6529-:d:654051
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Wentao Li & Mingfeng Wang & Fanbin Meng & Yifei Zhang & Bo Zhang, 2022. "A Review on the Effects of Pretreatment and Process Parameters on Properties of Pellets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-23, October.
    2. Émilie Robert & Flavia Lega Braghiroli, 2022. "Development of a Biochar-Based Substrate Added with Nitrogen from a Mining Effluent for the Production of Picea mariana Seedlings," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Mika Pahnila & Aki Koskela & Petri Sulasalmi & Timo Fabritius, 2023. "A Review of Pyrolysis Technologies and the Effect of Process Parameters on Biocarbon Properties," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-27, October.
    4. Nidhoim Assoumani & Merlin Simo-Tagne & Fatima Kifani-Sahban & Ablain Tagne Tagne & Maryam El Marouani & Marcel Brice Obounou Akong & Yann Rogaume & Pierre Girods & André Zoulalian, 2021. "Numerical Study of Cylindrical Tropical Woods Pyrolysis Using Python Tool," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-23, December.

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