IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i24p8083-d1301117.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Torrefaction of Willow in Batch Reactor and Co-Firing of Torrefied Willow with Coal

Author

Listed:
  • Hilal Unyay

    (Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 213, 90-924 Lodz, Poland)

  • Piotr Piersa

    (Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 213, 90-924 Lodz, Poland)

  • Magdalena Zabochnicka

    (Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, Dabrowskiego 69, 42-201 Czestochowa, Poland)

  • Zdzisława Romanowska-Duda

    (Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha Str. 12/16, 92-237 Lodz, Poland)

  • Piotr Kuryło

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zielona Góra, 65-516 Zielona Gora, Poland)

  • Ksawery Kuligowski

    (Physical Aspects of Ecoenergy Department, The Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, Fiszera 14 Str., 80-231 Gdansk, Poland)

  • Paweł Kazimierski

    (The Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, Fiszera 14, 80-231 Gdansk, Poland)

  • Taras Hutsol

    (Department of Mechanics and Agroecosystems Engineering, Polissia National University, Staryi Blvd 7, 10008 Zhytomyr, Ukraine)

  • Arkadiusz Dyjakon

    (Department of Applied Bioeconomy, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Chelmonskiego 37a, 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Edyta Wrzesińska-Jędrusiak

    (Department of Technologies, Institute of Technology and Life Sciences—National Research Institute, Hrabska Avenue 3, Falenty, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland)

  • Andrzej Obraniak

    (Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 213, 90-924 Lodz, Poland)

  • Szymon Szufa

    (Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 213, 90-924 Lodz, Poland)

Abstract

The torrefaction process represents a thermal conversion technique conducted at relatively low temperatures ranging between 200 to 300 °C. Its objective is to produce fuel with a higher energy density by decomposing the reactive portion of hemicellulose. In this study, the kinetics of mass loss during torrefaction were investigated for willow. The experiments were carried out under isothermal conditions using thermogravimetric analysis. Batch torrefaction reactor designs were conducted and explained in detail. Co-combustion of willow with hard coal (origin: Katowice mine) in different mass ratios (25% biomass + 75% coal, 50% biomass + 50% coal, and 75% biomass + 25% coal) was conducted in addition to raw biomass torrefaction. TG/MS analysis (a combination of thermogravimetric analysis with mass spectrometry analysis) was performed in the research. The optimal torrefaction conditions for willow were identified as an average temperature of 245 °C and a residence time of 14 min, resulting in the lowest mass loss (30.15%). However, it was noted that the composition of torgas, a by-product of torrefaction, presents challenges in providing a combustible gas with sufficient heat flux to meet the energy needs of the process. Prolonged residence times over 15 min and higher average temperatures above 250 °C lead to excessive energy losses from volatile torrefaction products, making them suboptimal for willow. On the other hand, the co-combustion of torrefied biomass with hard coal offers advantages in reduced sulfur emissions but can lead to increased NOx emissions when biomass with a higher nitrogen content is co-combusted in proportions exceeding 50% biomass. This paper summarizes findings related to optimizing torrefaction conditions, challenges in torgas composition, and the emissions implications of co-combustion.

Suggested Citation

  • Hilal Unyay & Piotr Piersa & Magdalena Zabochnicka & Zdzisława Romanowska-Duda & Piotr Kuryło & Ksawery Kuligowski & Paweł Kazimierski & Taras Hutsol & Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Edyta Wrzesińska-Jędrusiak &, 2023. "Torrefaction of Willow in Batch Reactor and Co-Firing of Torrefied Willow with Coal," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-23, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:24:p:8083-:d:1301117
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/24/8083/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/24/8083/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Radoslaw Slezak & Hilal Unyay & Szymon Szufa & Stanislaw Ledakowicz, 2023. "An Extensive Review and Comparison of Modern Biomass Reactors Torrefaction vs. Biomass Pyrolizers—Part 2," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-25, February.
    2. Başar, İ.A. & Kökdemir Ünşar, E. & Ünyay, H. & Perendeci, N.A., 2020. "Ethanol, methane, or both? Enzyme dose impact on ethanol and methane production from untreated energy crop switchgrass varieties," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 287-297.
    3. Kopczyński, Marcin & Lasek, Janusz A. & Iluk, Andrzej & Zuwała, Jarosław, 2017. "The co-combustion of hard coal with raw and torrefied biomasses (willow (Salix viminalis), olive oil residue and waste wood from furniture manufacturing)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(P1), pages 1316-1325.
    4. Tomasz Kalak, 2023. "Potential Use of Industrial Biomass Waste as a Sustainable Energy Source in the Future," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-25, February.
    5. Bruno Esteves & Umut Sen & Helena Pereira, 2023. "Influence of Chemical Composition on Heating Value of Biomass: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-17, May.
    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. Božidar Matin & Ivan Brandić & Ana Matin & Josip Ištvanić & Alan Antonović, 2024. "Possibilities of Liquefied Spruce ( Picea abies ) and Oak ( Quercus robur ) Biomass as an Environmentally Friendly Additive in Conventional Phenol–Formaldehyde Resin Wood Adhesives," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Natalia Matłok & Grzegorz Zaguła & Józef Gorzelany & Maciej Balawejder, 2024. "Analysis of the Energy Potential of Waste Biomass Generated from Fruit Tree Seedling Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-13, November.
    3. 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).
    4. Mirosław Wyszkowski & Natalia Kordala, 2024. "Trace Elements in Maize Biomass Used to Phyto-Stabilise Iron-Contaminated Soils for Energy Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Vershinina, K. Yu & Shlegel, N.E. & Strizhak, P.A., 2019. "Relative combustion efficiency of composite fuels based on of wood processing and oil production wastes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 18-28.
    6. Marcin Sajdak & Roksana Muzyka & Grzegorz Gałko & Ewelina Ksepko & Monika Zajemska & Szymon Sobek & Dariusz Tercki, 2022. "Actual Trends in the Usability of Biochar as a High-Value Product of Biomass Obtained through Pyrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-30, December.
    7. Pronobis, Marek & Wejkowski, Robert & Kalisz, Sylwester & Ciukaj, Szymon, 2023. "Conversion of a pulverized coal boiler into a torrefied biomass boiler," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(PB).
    8. Hilal Unyay & Nuriye Altınay Perendeci & Piotr Piersa & Szymon Szufa & Agata Skwarczynska-Wojsa, 2024. "Harnessing Switchgrass for Sustainable Energy: Bioethanol Production Processes and Pretreatment Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-13, September.
    9. Chen, Wen-Lih & Sirisha, Vadlakonda & Yu, Chi-Yuan & Wang, Yan-Ru & Dai, Ming-Wei & Lasek, Janusz & Li, Yueh-Heng, 2024. "Design and optimization of a combined heat and power system with a fluidized-bed combustor and stirling engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    10. Lukáš Krátký & Stanislaw Ledakowicz & Radoslaw Slezak & Vojtěch Bělohlav & Peter Peciar & Máté Petrik & Tomáš Jirout & Marián Peciar & Zoltán Siménfalvi & Radek Šulc & Zoltán Szamosi, 2024. "Emerging Sustainability in Carbon Capture and Use Strategies for V4 Countries via Biochemical Pathways: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-22, January.
    11. Atimtay, Aysel & Yurdakul, Sema, 2020. "Combustion and Co-Combustion characteristics of torrefied poultry litter with lignite," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 1292-1301.
    12. Krzysztof Pilarski & Agnieszka A. Pilarska & Alicja Kolasa-Więcek & Dariusz Suszanowicz, 2023. "An Agricultural Biogas Plant as a Thermodynamic System: A Study of Efficiency in the Transformation from Primary to Secondary Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-15, November.
    13. Vasileiadou, Agapi & Zoras, Stamatis & Iordanidis, Andreas, 2021. "Biofuel potential of compost-like output from municipal solid waste: Multiple analyses of its seasonal variation and blends with lignite," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    14. Germán Navarrete Cereijo & Pedro Galione Klot & Pedro Curto-Risso, 2024. "Two-Stage Global Biomass Pyrolysis Model for Combustion Applications: Predicting Product Composition with a Focus on Kinetics, Energy, and Mass Balances Consistency," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-19, October.
    15. Chen, Wen-Lih & Huang, Chao-Wei & Li, Yueh-Heng & Kao, Chien-Chun & Cong, Huynh Thanh, 2020. "Biosyngas-fueled platinum reactor applied in micro combined heat and power system with a thermophotovoltaic array and stirling engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    16. Segundo Rojas-Flores & Magaly De La Cruz-Noriega & Nélida Milly Otiniano & Luis Cabanillas-Chirinos, 2024. "Sustainable Use of the Fungus Aspergillus sp. to Simultaneously Generate Electricity and Reduce Plastic through Microbial Fuel Cells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-11, August.
    17. Krochmalny, Krystian & Niedzwiecki, Lukasz & Pelińska-Olko, Ewa & Wnukowski, Mateusz & Czajka, Krzysztof & Tkaczuk-Serafin, Monika & Pawlak-Kruczek, Halina, 2020. "Determination of the marker for automation of torrefaction and slow pyrolysis processes – A case study of spherical wood particles," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 350-360.
    18. Tabakaev, Roman & Ibraeva, Kanipa & Kan, Victor & Dubinin, Yury & Rudmin, Maksim & Yazykov, Nikolay & Zavorin, Alexander, 2020. "The effect of co-combustion of waste from flour milling and highly mineralized peat on sintering of the ash residue," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    19. Maciej Dzikuć & Arkadiusz Piwowar & Szymon Szufa & Janusz Adamczyk & Maria Dzikuć, 2021. "Potential and Scenarios of Variants of Thermo-Modernization of Single-Family Houses: An Example of the Lubuskie Voivodeship," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, January.
    20. Huang, Chao-Wei & Li, Yueh-Heng & Xiao, Kai-Lin & Lasek, Janusz, 2019. "Cofiring characteristics of coal blended with torrefied Miscanthus biochar optimized with three Taguchi indexes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 566-579.

    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:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:24:p:8083-:d:1301117. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.