Torrefaction Of Wood Pellets Using Heat From The Producer Gas
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Date
2015-01
Authors
ANUAR, MUHAMAD SHUKRI
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Abstract
Gasification is a thermo-chemical conversion process that has been proven to be the most reliable source for energy conversion technology meant for biomass fuel. With respect to depletion of fossil fuel the usage for biomass fuel is increasing tremendously as one of the key source of renewable energy. Biomass gasification is a process to convert solid fuel into combustible gases typically having heating value 3-5 MJ m-3 with exit temperature that can reach above 300oC. Torrefaction is a thermo-chemical process of biomass within a narrow temperature range from 200oC to 300oC. The aim of this research is to utilise heat from the producer gas for torrefaction process. This study involved the investigation of varying air flow rate entering the gasifier and the effect of temperature inside the torrefaction reactor. The quality of the torrefaction product was analysed for moisture content, volatile matter, fixed carbon and ash content with heating value as the main criteria of analysis. Biomass pellets with heating value of 17 MJ kg-1 were used as fuel for gasification and material for torrefaction. Temperature profiles inside the torrefaction reactor were recorded for different air flow rates of 150, 200, 250 and 300 L min-1. The recorded average temperature of producer gas was about 300-400oC at the exit of the gasifier. Lower heating value (LHV) of the producer gas increased with increasing flow rate of air entering the gasifier. The temperature inside the torrefaction reactor also increased with respect to the flow rate of air. The higher heating value (HHV) of torrefied biomass was obtained in the range of 19-24 MJ kg-1 with an increase of
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about 10-40%. It was found that flow rate of air at 200 L min-1 resulted in the optimum temperature for torrefaction process at about 300oC. At this flow rate the effect of the residence time and bed height on the quality of product was also analysed. Based on the results obtained it was found that increase in residence time affected the quality of the product. The result obtained for producer gas LHV showed an increase by 7%.
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Torrefaction Of Wood Pellets Using Heat , From The Producer Gas