Torrefaction Technology

for Biomass Pretreatment Process

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Overview
- Global Warming
- Decrease Power Generation
of Nuclear Power Plant
- 2020 Policy of EU
- Logistic cost depends on diesel price.
Wood Pellet Cost Distribution
32%
35%
33%
Raw Mat.
Process
Logistic
Renewables 2013 Global Status Report
Wood Pellet Association of Canada
3
Overview
an interesting option to improve biomass properties to get
more uniformity. Densication by means of pelletization is
considered to be a proven technology to improve biomass
properties for its conversion into heat and power. Pellets
from torreed biomass are attractive with respect to heating
value, grindability, combustion nature, storage, transport
and handling which make them attractive as replacement
for coal in existing power stations. Energy research Centre
Netherlands (ECN) [20,26,27] developed the so-called BO
2
process (in initial literature also referred to as the TOP
process) in which pellets are processed with torreed
biomass. Compared to non-torreed pellets BO
2
pellets show
better hydrophobic behavior, strength and higher density.
The main characteristics of different pellets are shown in
Table 3 [27].
The BO
2
process combines torrefaction and pelletization
and according to Fig. 14 torrefaction is introduced into the
system as a unit after drying and before size reduction in
comparison to a typical biomass pelletization process [20]. The
torrefaction process consists of several steps such as drying,
torrefaction and cooling. The pelletization process comprises
the steps of drying, size reduction, steam pre-conditioning,
densication and cooling. Combining the torrefaction and
pelletization process leads to the introduction of torrefaction
in the pelletization step and the removal of the steam pre-
conditioning from the pelletization step.
Currently ECN operates a 50e100 kg/h pilot plant where
biomass pellets are produced from a broad range of biomass
streams, such as wood chips, agricultural residues and
various residues from the food and feed processing industry
[51]. These so-called 2nd generation pellets have superior
properties in terms of high energy density (1.5e2 conven-
tional pellets), excellent grindability and water resistant
nature (eliminating/reducing biological degradation and
spontaneous heating, and enabling outdoor storage).
4.2. Torrefaction and gasication
Torrefaction is mainly used as pre-treatment technology to
upgrade the biomass to a higher quality biofuel. This biofuel
can be used in other conversion methods to produce bio-
energy. The main application of torreed biomass (wood) is
as a renewable fuel for combustion or gasication. Prins et al.
[2] studied the possibility of more efcient biomass gasica-
tion via torrefaction in different systems; air-blown circu-
lating uidized bed gasication of wood, wood torrefaction
and circulating uidized bed gasication of torreed wood,
and wood torrefaction integrated with entrained ow gasi-
cation of torreed wood.
The main idea behind combining biomass torrefaction and
gasicationis that the heat produced during gasicationinthe
form of steam is recovered for application in the torrefaction
stage. The advantages of torrefaction as a pre-treatment prior
to gasication in three concepts are compared with each
other. In Fig. 15aec [2] three different gasication schemes are
presented.
Fig. 15a shows biomass (wood) gasication in circulating
uidized bed (CFB). The CFB gasier is operated below
1000

C at atmospheric conditions to avoid problems with
ash softening and melting. Air is used as gasifying medium.
The steam is exported at 280

C at 45 bar.
Table 3 e Properties of wood, torreed biomass, wood
and BO
2
pellets [27].
Properties Unit Wood Torreed
biomass
Wood pellets TOP pellets
Low High Low High
Moisture %wt 35% 3% 10% 7% 5% 1%
LHV
Normal MJ/kg 10.5 19.9 15.6 16.2 19.9 21.6
Dry MJ/kg 17.7 20.4 17.7 17.7 20.4 22.7
Mass
density
kg/m
3
550 230 500 650 750 850
Energy
density
GJ/m
3
5.8 4.6 7.8 10.5 14.9 18.4
Fig. 14 e Pelletization, torrefaction and TOP process schemes [20].
b i o ma s s a nd b i o e ne r gy 3 5 ( 2 0 1 1 ) 3 7 4 8 e3 7 6 2 3757
Biomass upgrading by torrefaction for the production of biofuels: A review
4
Torrefaction Technology
Biomass Torrefaction
Torrefaction is used as a pre-treatment step for biomass conversion techniques such as gasification
and co-firing. The thermal treatment not only destructs the fibrous structure and tenacity of
biomass, but is also known to increase the calorific value. Also after torrefaction the biomass has
more hydrophobic characteristics that make storage of torrefied biomass more attractive above
non-torrefied biomass, because of the rotting behavior.
Biomass upgrading by torrefaction for the production of biofuels
Torrefaction
250 C
1M 1E
Biomass
0.3M 0.1E
Torrefied Gases
0.7M 0.9E
Torrefied
Biomass
1.3 E/M 1 E/M
5
Torrefaction Technology
6
Value Propositions
Value Propositions
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$
/
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wood pellet torrefied pellet
IEA bioenergy task 40 Possible effect of torrefaction on biomass trade (IEA bioenergy)
1 ton
0.75 ton
1.4 m
3
0.68 m
3
7
Pretreatment of the biomass using torrefaction is considered
the optimum solution since torrefied material, particularly
pelletized torrefied wood, is very similar to fossil coal and
burns cleaner. Several large research projects are under way
to speed up the development of torrefied pellets, both in
Canada and Europe. The target is set for large-scale
introduction of torrefied pellets around 2014-2015.
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