IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v199y2024ics1364032124002259.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A comprehensive review on the similarity and disparity of torrefied biomass and coal properties

Author

Listed:
  • Adeleke, Adekunle A.
  • Ikubanni, Peter P.
  • Emmanuel, Stephen S.
  • Fajobi, Moses O.
  • Nwachukwu, Praise
  • Adesibikan, Ademidun A.
  • Odusote, Jamiu K.
  • Adeyemi, Emmanuel O.
  • Abioye, Oluwaseyi M.
  • Okolie, Jude A.

Abstract

The use of coal for energy generation is facing serious scrutiny because of environmental concerns. As a result, there is a growing global interest in biomass, a renewable and readily available energy source. However, the utilization of biomass comes with significant drawbacks, including its heterogeneity, low bulk density, and calorific value. Biomass also has a low energy content, high moisture, poor grindability, and high volatile matter, which affect its handling, bulk transportation, and storage. Torrefaction technology has been employed in previous works to improve the properties of biomass for subsequent handling and transportation and for low-cost energy generation. Since coal is a promising precursor for energy generation, it is imperative to compare the physicochemical properties of coal with that of torrefied biomass. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a comprehensive comparison between various grades of coal and torrefied biomass. The review revealed that torrefied biomass could replace coal, as its properties are similar to those of coal, except for high-grade coals. The proximate and ultimate analyses of coals (lignite and bituminous) were found to be comparable to various torrefied biomass materials. The fuel ratio (0.5–2.0), and higher heating values (16,100–19,000 kJ/kg) of coal and torrefied biomass were within the range useful for coal-fired plants. Additionally, ash analyses, ash fusion temperature, hygroscopic tendency, functional group study, and microstructural comparison were reviewed in this study. The results from various studies have shown close similarities with only small disimilarities in the fuel properties between coal and torrefied biomass. Therefore, torrefied biomass is proposed as a complimentary feedstock to coal in various applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Adeleke, Adekunle A. & Ikubanni, Peter P. & Emmanuel, Stephen S. & Fajobi, Moses O. & Nwachukwu, Praise & Adesibikan, Ademidun A. & Odusote, Jamiu K. & Adeyemi, Emmanuel O. & Abioye, Oluwaseyi M. & Ok, 2024. "A comprehensive review on the similarity and disparity of torrefied biomass and coal properties," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:199:y:2024:i:c:s1364032124002259
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2024.114502
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032124002259
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114502?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Trubetskaya, Anna & Leahy, James J. & Yazhenskikh, Elena & Müller, Michael & Layden, Peter & Johnson, Robert & Ståhl, Kenny & Monaghan, Rory F.D., 2019. "Characterization of woodstove briquettes from torrefied biomass and coal," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 853-865.
    2. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Peng, Jianghong & Bi, Xiaotao T., 2015. "A state-of-the-art review of biomass torrefaction, densification and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 847-866.
    3. Sher, Farooq & Yaqoob, Aqsa & Saeed, Farrukh & Zhang, Shengfu & Jahan, Zaib & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír, 2020. "Torrefied biomass fuels as a renewable alternative to coal in co-firing for power generation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    4. Oladejo, Jumoke M. & Adegbite, Stephen & Pang, Chengheng & Liu, Hao & Lester, Edward & Wu, Tao, 2020. "In-situ monitoring of the transformation of ash upon heating and the prediction of ash fusion behaviour of coal/biomass blends," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    5. Grzegorz Zając & Joanna Szyszlak-Bargłowicz & Wojciech Gołębiowski & Małgorzata Szczepanik, 2018. "Chemical Characteristics of Biomass Ashes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-15, October.
    6. Nimmanterdwong, Prathana & Chalermsinsuwan, Benjapon & Piumsomboon, Pornpote, 2021. "Prediction of lignocellulosic biomass structural components from ultimate/proximate analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    7. Abdulyekeen, Kabir Abogunde & Umar, Ahmad Abulfathi & Patah, Muhamad Fazly Abdul & Daud, Wan Mohd Ashri Wan, 2021. "Torrefaction of biomass: Production of enhanced solid biofuel from municipal solid waste and other types of biomass," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    8. Tymoszuk, Mateusz & Mroczek, Kazimierz & Kalisz, Sylwester & Kubiczek, Henryk, 2019. "An investigation of biomass grindability," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 116-126.
    9. Xuejun Qian & Jingwen Xue & Yulai Yang & Seong W. Lee, 2021. "Thermal Properties and Combustion-Related Problems Prediction of Agricultural Crop Residues," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-18, July.
    10. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Chen, Chih-Jung & Hung, Chen-I & Shen, Cheng-Hsien & Hsu, Heng-Wen, 2013. "A comparison of gasification phenomena among raw biomass, torrefied biomass and coal in an entrained-flow reactor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 421-430.
    11. Liu, Zhijia & Zhang, Tao & Zhang, Jian & Xiang, Hongzhong & Yang, Xiaomeng & Hu, Wanhe & Liang, Fang & Mi, Bingbing, 2018. "Ash fusion characteristics of bamboo, wood and coal," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 517-522.
    12. Lin, Yi-Li & Zheng, Nai-Yun, 2021. "Torrefaction of fruit waste seed and shells for biofuel production with reduced CO2 emission," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    13. Chen, Ying-Chu & Jhou, Sih-Yu, 2020. "Integrating spent coffee grounds and silver skin as biofuels using torrefaction," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 275-283.
    14. Zhang, Congyu & Yang, Wu & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Ho, Shih-Hsin & Pétrissans, Anelie & Pétrissans, Mathieu, 2022. "Effect of torrefaction on the structure and reactivity of rice straw as well as life cycle assessment of torrefaction process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    15. Devaraja, Udya Madhavi Aravindi & Senadheera, Sachini Supunsala & Gunarathne, Duleeka Sandamali, 2022. "Torrefaction severity and performance of Rubberwood and Gliricidia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 1341-1353.
    16. Kim, Seok Jun & Park, Sunyong & Oh, Kwang Cheol & Ju, Young Min & Cho, La hoon & Kim, Dae Hyun, 2021. "Development of surface torrefaction process to utilize agro-byproducts as an energy source," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    17. Florian Lebendig & Ibai Funcia & Rául Pérez-Vega & Michael Müller, 2022. "Investigations on the Effect of Pre-Treatment of Wheat Straw on Ash-Related Issues in Chemical Looping Gasification (CLG) in Comparison with Woody Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-25, May.
    18. Li, Jun & Brzdekiewicz, Artur & Yang, Weihong & Blasiak, Wlodzimierz, 2012. "Co-firing based on biomass torrefaction in a pulverized coal boiler with aim of 100% fuel switching," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 344-354.
    19. Wen, Jia-Long & Sun, Shao-Long & Yuan, Tong-Qi & Xu, Feng & Sun, Run-Cang, 2014. "Understanding the chemical and structural transformations of lignin macromolecule during torrefaction," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 1-9.
    20. Wang, Shurong & Dai, Gongxin & Ru, Bin & Zhao, Yuan & Wang, Xiaoliu & Xiao, Gang & Luo, Zhongyang, 2017. "Influence of torrefaction on the characteristics and pyrolysis behavior of cellulose," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 864-871.
    21. Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Tomasz Noszczyk, 2020. "Alternative Fuels from Forestry Biomass Residue: Torrefaction Process of Horse Chestnuts, Oak Acorns, and Spruce Cones," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-19, May.
    22. Yin, Chungen, 2020. "Development in biomass preparation for suspension firing towards higher biomass shares and better boiler performance and fuel rangeability," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    23. Singh, Satyansh & Chakraborty, Jyoti Prasad & Mondal, Monoj Kumar, 2019. "Optimization of process parameters for torrefaction of Acacia nilotica using response surface methodology and characteristics of torrefied biomass as upgraded fuel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    24. Junga, Robert & Pospolita, Janusz & Niemiec, Patrycja, 2020. "Combustion and grindability characteristics of palm kernel shells torrefied in a pilot-scale installation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 1239-1250.
    25. Proskurina, Svetlana & Heinimö, Jussi & Schipfer, Fabian & Vakkilainen, Esa, 2017. "Biomass for industrial applications: The role of torrefaction," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 265-274.
    26. Margareta Novian Cahyanti & Tharaka Rama Krishna C. Doddapaneni & Marten Madissoo & Linnar Pärn & Indrek Virro & Timo Kikas, 2021. "Torrefaction of Agricultural and Wood Waste: Comparative Analysis of Selected Fuel Characteristics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-19, May.
    27. Kongto, Pumin & Palamanit, Arkom & Chaiprapat, Sumate & Tippayawong, Nakorn, 2021. "Enhancing the fuel properties of rubberwood biomass by moving bed torrefaction process for further applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 703-713.
    28. Jeeban Poudel & Sujeeta Karki & Sea Cheon Oh, 2018. "Valorization of Waste Wood as a Solid Fuel by Torrefaction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-10, June.
    29. Li, He & Shi, Shiliang & Lin, Baiquan & Lu, Jiexin & Ye, Qing & Lu, Yi & Wang, Zheng & Hong, Yidu & Zhu, Xiangnan, 2019. "Effects of microwave-assisted pyrolysis on the microstructure of bituminous coals," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    30. Bogdan Saletnik & Marcin Bajcar & Aneta Saletnik & Grzegorz Zaguła & Czesław Puchalski, 2021. "Effect of the Pyrolysis Process Applied to Waste Branches Biomass from Fruit Trees on the Calorific Value of the Biochar and Dust Explosivity," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-18, August.
    31. Tharaka Rama Krishna C. Doddapaneni & Linnar Pärn & Timo Kikas, 2022. "Torrefaction of Pulp Industry Sludge to Enhance Its Fuel Characteristics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-15, August.
    32. Lin, Yi-Li & Zheng, Nai-Yun & Lin, Ching-Shi, 2021. "Repurposing Washingtonia filifera petiole and Sterculia foetida follicle waste biomass for renewable energy through torrefaction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    33. Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Tomasz Noszczyk & Martyna Smędzik, 2019. "The Influence of Torrefaction Temperature on Hydrophobic Properties of Waste Biomass from Food Processing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-17, December.
    34. Singh, Satyansh & Chakraborty, Jyoti Prasad & Mondal, Monoj Kumar, 2020. "Torrefaction of woody biomass (Acacia nilotica): Investigation of fuel and flow properties to study its suitability as a good quality solid fuel," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 711-724.
    35. Singh, Rishikesh kumar & Sarkar, Arnab & Chakraborty, Jyoti Prasad, 2019. "Effect of torrefaction on the physicochemical properties of pigeon pea stalk (Cajanus cajan) and estimation of kinetic parameters," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 805-819.
    36. Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Tomasz Noszczyk & Agata Mostek, 2021. "Mechanical Durability and Grindability of Pellets after Torrefaction Process," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-16, October.
    37. Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Łukasz Sobol & Tomasz Noszczyk & Jakub Mitręga, 2022. "The Impact of Torrefaction Temperature on the Physical-Chemical Properties of Residual Exotic Fruit (Avocado, Mango, Lychee) Seeds," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-16, January.
    38. Rousset, P. & Fernandes, K. & Vale, A. & Macedo, L. & Benoist, A., 2013. "Change in particle size distribution of Torrefied biomass during cold fluidization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 71-77.
    39. Marcin Bajcar & Grzegorz Zaguła & Bogdan Saletnik & Maria Tarapatskyy & Czesław Puchalski, 2018. "Relationship between Torrefaction Parameters and Physicochemical Properties of Torrefied Products Obtained from Selected Plant Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-13, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Abdulyekeen, Kabir Abogunde & Umar, Ahmad Abulfathi & Patah, Muhamad Fazly Abdul & Daud, Wan Mohd Ashri Wan, 2021. "Torrefaction of biomass: Production of enhanced solid biofuel from municipal solid waste and other types of biomass," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    2. Abdulyekeen, Kabir Abogunde & Daud, Wan Mohd Ashri Wan & Patah, Muhamad Fazly Abdul, 2024. "Torrefaction of wood and garden wastes from municipal solid waste to enhanced solid fuel using helical screw rotation-induced fluidised bed reactor: Effect of particle size, helical screw speed and te," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    3. 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.
    4. Hao Luo & Lukasz Niedzwiecki & Amit Arora & Krzysztof Mościcki & Halina Pawlak-Kruczek & Krystian Krochmalny & Marcin Baranowski & Mayank Tiwari & Anshul Sharma & Tanuj Sharma & Zhimin Lu, 2020. "Influence of Torrefaction and Pelletizing of Sawdust on the Design Parameters of a Fixed Bed Gasifier," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, June.
    5. Singh, Rishikesh Kumar & Chakraborty, Jyoti Prasad & Sarkar, Arnab, 2020. "Optimizing the torrefaction of pigeon pea stalk (cajanus cajan) using response surface methodology (RSM) and characterization of solid, liquid and gaseous products," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 677-690.
    6. Xin, Shanzhi & Huang, Fang & Qi, Wei & Mi, Tie, 2020. "Pyrolysis of torrefied herbal medicine wastes: Characterization of pyrolytic products," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    7. Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Tomasz Noszczyk & Łukasz Sobol & Dominika Misiakiewicz, 2021. "Influence of Torrefaction Temperature and Climatic Chamber Operation Time on Hydrophobic Properties of Agri-Food Biomass Investigated Using the EMC Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-19, August.
    8. Adrian Knapczyk & Sławomir Francik & Marcin Jewiarz & Agnieszka Zawiślak & Renata Francik, 2020. "Thermal Treatment of Biomass: A Bibliometric Analysis—The Torrefaction Case," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-31, December.
    9. 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.
    10. Devaraja, Udya Madhavi Aravindi & Senadheera, Sachini Supunsala & Gunarathne, Duleeka Sandamali, 2022. "Torrefaction severity and performance of Rubberwood and Gliricidia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 1341-1353.
    11. Tharaka Rama Krishna C. Doddapaneni & Timo Kikas, 2023. "Advanced Applications of Torrefied Biomass: A Perspective View," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-8, February.
    12. Riaz, Sajid & Oluwoye, Ibukun & Al-Abdeli, Yasir M., 2022. "Oxidative torrefaction of densified woody biomass: Performance, combustion kinetics and thermodynamics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 908-918.
    13. Jagadale, Manisha & Gangil, Sandip & Jadhav, Mahesh, 2023. "Enhancing fuel characteristics of jute sticks (Corchorus Sp.) using fixed bed torrefaction process," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    14. Nabila, Rakhmawati & Hidayat, Wahyu & Haryanto, Agus & Hasanudin, Udin & Iryani, Dewi Agustina & Lee, Sihyun & Kim, Sangdo & Kim, Soohyun & Chun, Donghyuk & Choi, Hokyung & Im, Hyuk & Lim, Jeonghwan &, 2023. "Oil palm biomass in Indonesia: Thermochemical upgrading and its utilization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    15. Chen, Yun-Chun & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lin, Bo-Jhih & Chang, Jo-Shu & Ong, Hwai Chyuan, 2016. "Impact of torrefaction on the composition, structure and reactivity of a microalga residue," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 110-119.
    16. Rudolfsson, Magnus & Borén, Eleonora & Pommer, Linda & Nordin, Anders & Lestander, Torbjörn A., 2017. "Combined effects of torrefaction and pelletization parameters on the quality of pellets produced from torrefied biomass," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 414-424.
    17. Singh, Satyansh & Chakraborty, Jyoti Prasad & Mondal, Monoj Kumar, 2020. "Torrefaction of woody biomass (Acacia nilotica): Investigation of fuel and flow properties to study its suitability as a good quality solid fuel," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 711-724.
    18. Tadeusz Mączka & Halina Pawlak-Kruczek & Lukasz Niedzwiecki & Edward Ziaja & Artur Chorążyczewski, 2020. "Plasma Assisted Combustion as a Cost-Effective Way for Balancing of Intermittent Sources: Techno-Economic Assessment for 200 MW el Power Unit," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-16, September.
    19. Javaid Akhtar & Muhammad Imran & Arshid Mahmood Ali & Zeeshan Nawaz & Ayyaz Muhammad & Rehan Khalid Butt & Maria Shahid Jillani & Hafiz Amir Naeem, 2021. "Torrefaction and Thermochemical Properties of Agriculture Residues," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-13, July.
    20. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Huang, Ming-Yueh & Chang, Jo-Shu & Chen, Chun-Yen, 2015. "Torrefaction operation and optimization of microalga residue for energy densification and utilization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 622-630.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:199:y:2024:i:c:s1364032124002259. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.