Mild hydrothermal conditioning prior to torrefaction and slow pyrolysis of low-value biomass

R. Van Poucke; R. W. Nachenius; K. E. Agbo; F. Hensgen; L. Bühle; M. Wachendorf; Y. S. Ok; F. M.G. Tack; W. Prins; F. Ronsse; E. Meers

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2016.03.014

Mild hydrothermal conditioning prior to torrefaction and slow pyrolysis of low-value biomass

R. Van Poucke, R. W. Nachenius, K. E. Agbo, F. Hensgen, L. Bühle, M. Wachendorf, Y. S. Ok, F. M.G. Tack, W. Prins, F. Ronsse, E. Meers

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of this research was to establish whether hydrothermal conditioning and subsequent thermochemical processing via batch torrefaction or slow pyrolysis may improve the fuel quality of grass residues. A comparison in terms of fuel quality was made of the direct thermochemical processing of the feedstock versus hydrothermal conditioning as a pretreatment prior to thermochemical processing. Hydrothermal conditioning reduced ash content, and particularly nitrogen, potassium and chlorine contents in the biomass. The removal of volatile organic matter associated with thermochemical processes can increase the HHV to levels of volatile bituminous coal. However, slow pyrolysis only increased the HHV of biomass provided a low ash content (<6%) feedstock was used. In conclusion, hydrothermal conditioning can have a highly positive influence on the efficiency of thermochemical processes for upgrading low-value (high-ash) biomass to a higher quality fuel.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	104-112
Number of pages	9
Journal	Bioresource technology
Volume	217
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.03.014
Publication status	Published - 2016 Oct 1
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of the COMBINE project (No. 299 J) through the Interreg IV B regional development fund which has made this work possible. The GR3 project (IEE/12/046/SI2.645700), supported by Intelligent Energy Europe, has also made this work possible.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

Energy densification
Grass
Hydrothermal conditioning
Slow pyrolysis
Torrefaction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Bioengineering
Environmental Engineering
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Waste Management and Disposal

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.biortech.2016.03.014

Cite this

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title = "Mild hydrothermal conditioning prior to torrefaction and slow pyrolysis of low-value biomass",

abstract = "The aim of this research was to establish whether hydrothermal conditioning and subsequent thermochemical processing via batch torrefaction or slow pyrolysis may improve the fuel quality of grass residues. A comparison in terms of fuel quality was made of the direct thermochemical processing of the feedstock versus hydrothermal conditioning as a pretreatment prior to thermochemical processing. Hydrothermal conditioning reduced ash content, and particularly nitrogen, potassium and chlorine contents in the biomass. The removal of volatile organic matter associated with thermochemical processes can increase the HHV to levels of volatile bituminous coal. However, slow pyrolysis only increased the HHV of biomass provided a low ash content (<6%) feedstock was used. In conclusion, hydrothermal conditioning can have a highly positive influence on the efficiency of thermochemical processes for upgrading low-value (high-ash) biomass to a higher quality fuel.",

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note = "Funding Information: The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of the COMBINE project (No. 299 J) through the Interreg IV B regional development fund which has made this work possible. The GR3 project (IEE/12/046/SI2.645700), supported by Intelligent Energy Europe, has also made this work possible. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2016 Elsevier Ltd",

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AU - Van Poucke, R.

AU - Nachenius, R. W.

AU - Agbo, K. E.

AU - Hensgen, F.

AU - Bühle, L.

AU - Wachendorf, M.

AU - Ok, Y. S.

AU - Tack, F. M.G.

AU - Prins, W.

AU - Ronsse, F.

AU - Meers, E.

N1 - Funding Information: The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of the COMBINE project (No. 299 J) through the Interreg IV B regional development fund which has made this work possible. The GR3 project (IEE/12/046/SI2.645700), supported by Intelligent Energy Europe, has also made this work possible. Publisher Copyright: © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

PY - 2016/10/1

Y1 - 2016/10/1

N2 - The aim of this research was to establish whether hydrothermal conditioning and subsequent thermochemical processing via batch torrefaction or slow pyrolysis may improve the fuel quality of grass residues. A comparison in terms of fuel quality was made of the direct thermochemical processing of the feedstock versus hydrothermal conditioning as a pretreatment prior to thermochemical processing. Hydrothermal conditioning reduced ash content, and particularly nitrogen, potassium and chlorine contents in the biomass. The removal of volatile organic matter associated with thermochemical processes can increase the HHV to levels of volatile bituminous coal. However, slow pyrolysis only increased the HHV of biomass provided a low ash content (<6%) feedstock was used. In conclusion, hydrothermal conditioning can have a highly positive influence on the efficiency of thermochemical processes for upgrading low-value (high-ash) biomass to a higher quality fuel.

AB - The aim of this research was to establish whether hydrothermal conditioning and subsequent thermochemical processing via batch torrefaction or slow pyrolysis may improve the fuel quality of grass residues. A comparison in terms of fuel quality was made of the direct thermochemical processing of the feedstock versus hydrothermal conditioning as a pretreatment prior to thermochemical processing. Hydrothermal conditioning reduced ash content, and particularly nitrogen, potassium and chlorine contents in the biomass. The removal of volatile organic matter associated with thermochemical processes can increase the HHV to levels of volatile bituminous coal. However, slow pyrolysis only increased the HHV of biomass provided a low ash content (<6%) feedstock was used. In conclusion, hydrothermal conditioning can have a highly positive influence on the efficiency of thermochemical processes for upgrading low-value (high-ash) biomass to a higher quality fuel.

KW - Energy densification

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KW - Torrefaction

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Mild hydrothermal conditioning prior to torrefaction and slow pyrolysis of low-value biomass

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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