Biomass upgrading by torrefaction for the production of biofuels: A review

Biomass upgrading by torrefaction for the production of biofuels: A review

An overview of the research on biomass upgrading by torrefaction for the production of biofuels is presented. Torrefaction is a thermal conversion method of biomass in the low temperature range of 200–300 °C. Biomass is pre-treated to produce a high quality solid biofuel that can be used for combust...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomass & bioenergy Vol. 35; no. 9; pp. 3748 - 3762
Main Authors: van der Stelt, M.J.C., Gerhauser, H., Kiel, J.H.A., Ptasinski, K.J.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2011
Elsevier
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Biomass
Biomass upgrading
Conversion
Drying
Energy
Energy densification
Exact sciences and technology
Fuel processing. Carbochemistry and petrochemistry
Fuels
Gasification
Inert
Liquids
Mild pyrolysis
Natural energy
Pyrolysis
Solid fuel processing (coal, coke, brown coal, peat, wood, etc.)
Torrefaction
Upgrading
Torrefaction
Energy densification
Gasification
Mild pyrolysis
Biomass upgrading
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Summary:An overview of the research on biomass upgrading by torrefaction for the production of biofuels is presented. Torrefaction is a thermal conversion method of biomass in the low temperature range of 200–300 °C. Biomass is pre-treated to produce a high quality solid biofuel that can be used for combustion and gasification. In this review the characteristics of torrefaction are described and a short history of torrefaction is given. Torrefaction is based on the removal of oxygen from biomass which aims to produce a fuel with increased energy density by decomposing the reactive hemicellulose fraction. Different reaction conditions (temperature, inert gas, reaction time) and biomass resources lead to various solid, liquid and gaseous products. A short overview of the different mass and energy balances is presented. Finally, the technology options and the most promising torrefaction applications and their economic potential are described. ► We reviewed recent developments in biomass upgrading by torrefaction. ► Torrefaction improves biomass to a high quality solid fuel. ► Main advantages of torrefaction are improvement of energy density and grindability. ► Further research on kinetics is recommended for design of torrefaction reactor.
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ISSN:0961-9534
1873-2909
DOI:10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.06.023