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Torrefied Biomass Pellets—Comparing Grindability in Different Laboratory Mills

Author

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  • Jan Hari Arti Khalsa

    (Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH, Leipzig 04347, Germany)

  • Diana Leistner

    (Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH, Leipzig 04347, Germany)

  • Nadja Weller

    (Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH, Leipzig 04347, Germany)

  • Leilani I. Darvell

    (School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • Ben Dooley

    (School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

Abstract

The firing and co-firing of biomass in pulverized coal fired power plants around the world is expected to increase in the coming years. Torrefaction may prove to be a suitable way of upgrading biomass for such an application. For transport and storage purposes, the torrefied biomass will tend to be in pellet form. Whilst standard methods for the assessment of the milling characteristics of coal exist, this is not the case for torrefied materials—whether in pellet form or not. The grindability of the fuel directly impacts the overall efficiency of the combustion process and as such it is an important parameter. In the present study, the grindability of different torrefied biomass pellets was tested in three different laboratory mill types; cutting mill (CM), hammer mill (HM) and impact mill (IM). The specific grinding energy (SGE) required for a defined mass throughput of pellets in each mill was measured and results were compared to other pellet characterization methods (e.g., durability, and hardness) as well as the modified Hardgrove Index. Seven different torrefied biomass pellets including willow, pine, beech, poplar, spruce, forest residue and straw were used as feedstock. On average, the particle-size distribution width (across all feedstock) was narrowest for the IM (0.41 mm), followed by the HM (0.51 mm) and widest for the CM (0.62 mm). Regarding the SGE, the IM consumed on average 8.23 Wh/kg while CM and HM consumed 5.15 and 5.24 Wh/kg, respectively. From the three mills compared in this study, the IM seems better fit for being used in a standardized method that could be developed in the future, e.g., as an ISO standard.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Hari Arti Khalsa & Diana Leistner & Nadja Weller & Leilani I. Darvell & Ben Dooley, 2016. "Torrefied Biomass Pellets—Comparing Grindability in Different Laboratory Mills," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:9:y:2016:i:10:p:794-:d:79825
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    References listed on IDEAS

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