IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v44y2015icp847-866.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A state-of-the-art review of biomass torrefaction, densification and applications

Author

Listed:
  • Chen, Wei-Hsin
  • Peng, Jianghong
  • Bi, Xiaotao T.

Abstract

Torrefaction is a mild pyrolysis, which has been explored for the pretreatment of biomass to increase the heating value and hydrophobicity. Due to its potential applications for making torrefied pellets, which can be used as a high quality feedstock in gasification for high quality syngas production and as a substitute for coal in thermal power plants and metallurgical processes, torrefaction and densification have attracted great interest in recent years from both academia and bioenergy industry. This paper provides a comprehensive review of research progresses in this area, drawing on major contributions from two major research groups of the authors on torrefaction and densification at Canada and Taiwan as well as literatures. It is revealed that torrefaction of various biomass species and their major components, lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses have been extensively studied in thermogravimetric apparatus (TGA) under both inert (N2) and oxidative (O2, H2O) environments to elucidate the weight loss as a function of temperature, particle size and time. It was found that the higher heating value and saturated water uptake of torrefied biomass were a strong function of weight loss, which represents the degree of torrefaction. When torrefied sawdust is compressed into torrefied pellets, more mechanical energy is consumed and higher die temperature is required to make torrefied pellets of similar density and hardness as regular pellets. Simple economics analyses based on laboratory scale experimental data showed that because of the potential savings from pellets transport, handling and storage logistics, the overall cost for torrefied pellets can be lower than regular pellets in European market for both European and Canadian pellets. The gasification could be improved in terms of both energy efficiency and syngas quality because of the removal of oxygenated volatile compounds from torrefied biomass.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:44:y:2015:i:c:p:847-866
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2014.12.039
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032114010910
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2014.12.039?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. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Wu, Jheng-Syun, 2009. "An evaluation on rice husks and pulverized coal blends using a drop tube furnace and a thermogravimetric analyzer for application to a blast furnace," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 1458-1466.
    2. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Tu, Yi-Jian & Sheen, Herng-Kuang, 2011. "Disruption of sugarcane bagasse lignocellulosic structure by means of dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment with microwave-assisted heating," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(8), pages 2726-2734, August.
    3. Lu, Ke-Miao & Lee, Wen-Jhy & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lin, Ta-Chang, 2013. "Thermogravimetric analysis and kinetics of co-pyrolysis of raw/torrefied wood and coal blends," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 57-65.
    4. Saidur, R. & Abdelaziz, E.A. & Demirbas, A. & Hossain, M.S. & Mekhilef, S., 2011. "A review on biomass as a fuel for boilers," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(5), pages 2262-2289, June.
    5. Du, Shan-Wen & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lucas, John A., 2010. "Pulverized coal burnout in blast furnace simulated by a drop tube furnace," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 576-581.
    6. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Kuo, Po-Chih, 2011. "Torrefaction and co-torrefaction characterization of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin as well as torrefaction of some basic constituents in biomass," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 803-811.
    7. Hannu Suopajärvi & Timo Fabritius, 2013. "Towards More Sustainable Ironmaking—An Analysis of Energy Wood Availability in Finland and the Economics of Charcoal Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Prins, Mark J. & Ptasinski, Krzysztof J. & Janssen, Frans J.J.G., 2006. "More efficient biomass gasification via torrefaction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(15), pages 3458-3470.
    9. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Hsu, Huan-Chun & Lu, Ke-Miao & Lee, Wen-Jhy & Lin, Ta-Chang, 2011. "Thermal pretreatment of wood (Lauan) block by torrefaction and its influence on the properties of the biomass," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 3012-3021.
    10. Chew, J.J. & Doshi, V., 2011. "Recent advances in biomass pretreatment – Torrefaction fundamentals and technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(8), pages 4212-4222.
    11. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Kuo, Po-Chih, 2011. "Isothermal torrefaction kinetics of hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin and xylan using thermogravimetric analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(11), pages 6451-6460.
    12. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Kuo, Po-Chih, 2010. "A study on torrefaction of various biomass materials and its impact on lignocellulosic structure simulated by a thermogravimetry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 2580-2586.
    13. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lu, Ke-Miao & Tsai, Chi-Ming, 2012. "An experimental analysis on property and structure variations of agricultural wastes undergoing torrefaction," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 318-325.
    14. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lu, Ke-Miao & Lee, Wen-Jhy & Liu, Shih-Hsien & Lin, Ta-Chang, 2014. "Non-oxidative and oxidative torrefaction characterization and SEM observations of fibrous and ligneous biomass," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 104-113.
    15. Wu, Keng-Tung & Tsai, Chia-Ju & Chen, Chih-Shen & Chen, Hsiao-Wei, 2012. "The characteristics of torrefied microalgae," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 52-57.
    16. 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.
    17. Park, Sang-Woo & Jang, Cheol-Hyeon & Baek, Kyung-Ryul & Yang, Jae-Kyung, 2012. "Torrefaction and low-temperature carbonization of woody biomass: Evaluation of fuel characteristics of the products," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 676-685.
    18. 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.
    19. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Cheng, Wen-Yi & Lu, Ke-Miao & Huang, Ying-Pin, 2011. "An evaluation on improvement of pulverized biomass property for solid fuel through torrefaction," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(11), pages 3636-3644.
    20. Tran, Khanh-Quang & Luo, Xun & Seisenbaeva, Gulaim & Jirjis, Raida, 2013. "Stump torrefaction for bioenergy application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 539-546.
    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. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Liu, Shih-Hsien & Juang, Tarng-Tzuen & Tsai, Chi-Ming & Zhuang, Yi-Qing, 2015. "Characterization of solid and liquid products from bamboo torrefaction," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 829-835.
    2. Wilk, Małgorzata & Magdziarz, Aneta & Kalemba, Izabela, 2015. "Characterisation of renewable fuels' torrefaction process with different instrumental techniques," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 259-269.
    3. Batidzirai, B. & Mignot, A.P.R. & Schakel, W.B. & Junginger, H.M. & Faaij, A.P.C., 2013. "Biomass torrefaction technology: Techno-economic status and future prospects," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 196-214.
    4. 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.
    5. Jau-Jang Lu & Wei-Hsin Chen, 2013. "Product Yields and Characteristics of Corncob Waste under Various Torrefaction Atmospheres," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-15, December.
    6. Wilk, Małgorzata & Magdziarz, Aneta & Kalemba, Izabela & Gara, Paweł, 2016. "Carbonisation of wood residue into charcoal during low temperature process," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 507-513.
    7. Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Yu, Kai Ling & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Pillejera, Ma Katreena & Bi, Xiaotao & Tran, Khanh-Quang & Pétrissans, Anelie & Pétrissans, Mathieu, 2021. "Variation of lignocellulosic biomass structure from torrefaction: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    8. Tran, Khanh-Quang & Luo, Xun & Seisenbaeva, Gulaim & Jirjis, Raida, 2013. "Stump torrefaction for bioenergy application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 539-546.
    9. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Kuo, Po-Chih & Liu, Shih-Hsien & Wu, Wei, 2014. "Thermal characterization of oil palm fiber and eucalyptus in torrefaction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 40-48.
    10. Lu, Ke-Miao & Lee, Wen-Jhy & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lin, Ta-Chang, 2013. "Thermogravimetric analysis and kinetics of co-pyrolysis of raw/torrefied wood and coal blends," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 57-65.
    11. Ping Wang & Bret H. Howard, 2017. "Impact of Thermal Pretreatment Temperatures on Woody Biomass Chemical Composition, Physical Properties and Microstructure," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, December.
    12. 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.
    13. 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.
    14. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lu, Ke-Miao & Lee, Wen-Jhy & Liu, Shih-Hsien & Lin, Ta-Chang, 2014. "Non-oxidative and oxidative torrefaction characterization and SEM observations of fibrous and ligneous biomass," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 104-113.
    15. 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.
    16. Volpe, Roberto & Messineo, Antonio & Millan, Marcos & Volpe, Maurizio & Kandiyoti, Rafael, 2015. "Assessment of olive wastes as energy source: pyrolysis, torrefaction and the key role of H loss in thermal breakdown," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 119-127.
    17. Niu, Yanqing & Lv, Yuan & Lei, Yu & Liu, Siqi & Liang, Yang & Wang, Denghui & Hui, Shi'en, 2019. "Biomass torrefaction: properties, applications, challenges, and economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    18. Sabil, Khalik M. & Aziz, Muafah A. & Lal, Bhajan & Uemura, Yoshimitsu, 2013. "Synthetic indicator on the severity of torrefaction of oil palm biomass residues through mass loss measurement," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 821-826.
    19. Antonios Nazos & Dorothea Politi & Georgios Giakoumakis & Dimitrios Sidiras, 2022. "Simulation and Optimization of Lignocellulosic Biomass Wet- and Dry-Torrefaction Process for Energy, Fuels and Materials Production: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-35, November.
    20. Granados, D.A. & Ruiz, R.A. & Vega, L.Y. & Chejne, F., 2017. "Study of reactivity reduction in sugarcane bagasse as consequence of a torrefaction process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 818-827.

    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:44:y:2015:i:c:p:847-866. 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.