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Investigation of the Effects of Torrefaction Temperature and Residence Time on the Fuel Quality of Corncobs in a Fixed-Bed Reactor

Author

Listed:
  • Joseph I. Orisaleye

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos 101017, Nigeria)

  • Simeon O. Jekayinfa

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso 210214, Nigeria)

  • Ralf Pecenka

    (Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), 14469 Potsdam, Germany)

  • Adebayo A. Ogundare

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos 101017, Nigeria)

  • Michael O. Akinseloyin

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos 101017, Nigeria)

  • Opeyemi L. Fadipe

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lagos State University, Epe Campus, Lagos 101101, Nigeria
    Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA)

Abstract

Biomass from agriculture is a promising alternative fuel due to its carbon-neutral feature. However, raw biomass does not have properties required for its direct utilization for energy generation. Torrefaction is considered as a pretreatment method to improve the properties of biomass for energy applications. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of torrefaction temperature and residence time on some physical and chemical properties of torrefied corncobs. Therefore, a fixed-bed torrefaction reactor was developed and used in the torrefaction of corncobs. The torrefaction process parameters investigated were the torrefaction temperature (200, 240, and 280 °C) and the residence time (30, 60, and 90 min). The effects of these parameters on the mass loss, grindability, chemical composition, and calorific value of biomass were investigated. It was shown that the mass loss increased with increasing torrefaction temperature and residence time. The grinding throughput of the biomass was improved by increasing both the torrefaction temperature and the residence time. Torrefaction at higher temperatures and longer residence times had greater effects on the reduction in particle size of the milled corncobs. The calorific value was highest at a torrefaction temperature of 280 °C and a residence time of 90 min. The energy yield for all treatments ranged between 92.8 and 99.2%. The results obtained in this study could be useful in the operation and design of torrefaction reactors. They also provided insight into parameters to be investigated for optimization of the torrefaction reactor.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph I. Orisaleye & Simeon O. Jekayinfa & Ralf Pecenka & Adebayo A. Ogundare & Michael O. Akinseloyin & Opeyemi L. Fadipe, 2022. "Investigation of the Effects of Torrefaction Temperature and Residence Time on the Fuel Quality of Corncobs in a Fixed-Bed Reactor," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:14:p:5284-:d:868033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Maja Ivanovski & Darko Goričanec & Danijela Urbancl, 2023. "The Evaluation of Torrefaction Efficiency for Lignocellulosic Materials Combined with Mixed Solid Wastes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Łukasz Sobol & Jacek Łyczko & Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Ryszard Sroczyński, 2023. "Relationship between Odor Adsorption Ability and Physical–Hydraulic Properties of Torrefied Biomass: Initial Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-18, February.

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