Torrefaction is thermal treatment of biomass in an environment with low oxygen content.
Although the process is similar to charcoal production, it takes place in a much lower temperature environment that requires less exotic and less expensive materials, which results in biofuels with more favorable combustion properties, better mechanical and storage properties, and higher energy density.
Torrefied biomass especially after it has been pelletized has similar properties as coal and is the ideal fuel to replace non-renewable coal resources for use in existing coal processing plants and facilities, like power plants without expensive capex upgrades required for white wood pellets. Our CEG Technology can operate across torrefaction and up to pyrolysis temperatures, so a wide range of fuel and other thermally treated biomass products can be processed.
Torrefaction is thermal treatment of biomass in an environment with low oxygen content.
Although the process is similar to charcoal production, it takes place in a much lower temperature environment that requires less exotic and less expensive materials, which results in biofuels with more favorable combustion properties, better mechanical and storage properties, and higher energy density.
Torrefied biomass especially after it has been pelletized has similar properties as coal and is the ideal fuel to replace non-renewable coal resources for use in existing coal processing plants and facilities, like power plants without expensive capex upgrades required for white wood pellets. Our CEG Technology can operate across torrefaction and up to pyrolysis temperatures, so a wide range of fuel and other thermally treated biomass products can be processed.
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Wood Moisture 50% (mass in biomass source)
Ash 1% mass, (0% GJ)
Carbon 50% mass, (84.6% GJ)
Hydrogen 6% mass, (15% GJ)
Oxygen 43% mass, (0% GJ)
Drying (energy needed for drying wood)Energy Lost Evaporating H20 Before energy can be extracted from wood the water must be evaporated and this reduces the amount of energy available for beneficial use. While the theoretical energy required is about 640 kWh per tonne of water, the actual value can be 2x higher depending upon dryer or boiler efficiency. This energy loss is not reflected in laboratory analyses as it is affected by the appliance the water is evaporated in. For dry wood this can be as little as 8% (boiler) and as much as 30% (dryer) of energy lost to remove the water. At about 85% moisture content, the energy required to evaporate water is about 1 kWh but the energy in the remaining 20% wood is also only 1 MWh so no net energy can be obtained despite lab analyses that would show the net calorific value as 1 MWh/tonne.
21Gj Light Torrefaction Line In light torrefaction the amount of energy liberated regardless of technology is sufficient to drive the torrefaction reaction and may also be sufficient to completely remove the moisture from 30% wet feedstock. The increase in energy density results from the greater loss of mass (20%) relative to energy (10%). At this level the material is a medium brown.
24Gj CEG Torrefaction Line At about 24 Gj, enough energy is liberated to torrefy the material and evaporate all of the moisture from 50% wet wood. At this energy level the material is a very dark brown bordering on black and is very brittle.
30Gj Charcoal Yield Line
The torrefaction process involves heating of biomass material such as wood, waste materials and crops at a temperature of 200-300 °C without oxygen. The slow heating process roasts biomass, releasing volatile compounds. In addition, the hemi-cellulose in wood decomposes during this process. The fibrous structure of the biomass is partially broken down and that enables transformation – the wood biomass from a fibrous material becomes a product with superior energy content with “coal-like” characteristics.