• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.381-391
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• 2023

Densification is a technique used to improve biomass quality in wood pellet manufacturing and torrefaction treatment. In this study, the effects of torrefaction on the quality of Calliandra wood pellets were investigated, and pellets of Calliandra wood (Calliandra calothyrsus) and bark were evaluated. The study was conducted using a completely randomized design with two treatment factors, namely torrefaction temperature (250℃ and 300℃) and torrefaction duration (30, 45, and 60 min). The results showed that the interaction between temperature and torrefaction duration significantly affected the compressive strength, proximate value, and calorific value of the torrefied Calliandra wood pellets. An increase in the temperature and torrefaction duration decreased the compressive strength, moisture content, volatile matter content, and ash content of the torrefied Calliandra wood pellets. Conversely, the calorific value of Calliandra wood pellets increased with increasing temperature and torrefaction duration. The best-quality Calliandra wood pellets were produced at a torrefaction temperature and duration of 300℃ and 60 min, respectively. In terms of important quality parameters, ash content of 0.90% and calorific value of 6,303.80 cal/g were observed, which complied with the quality standards of Indonesian National Standard 8675:2018 and Deutsche Industrie Norm 51731.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.55-62
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• 2014

Torrefaction is considered as a promising pre-treatment for thermochemical utilization of biomass. Torrefaction temperature and time are the critical operation parameters. In this study, investigated were the effects of reaction temperature and time on product composition of torrefaction. scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA) results were also compared for the effects of the operating parameters. SEM images showed that the pores were observed at the temperature of $250^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes. Rapid decreases in weight were observed the temperature between 200 and$400^{\circ}C$. Higher heating value of the torrefied biomass was over 5,000 kcal/kg at the temperature of $250^{\circ}C$ for 45 minutes. Energy density, which is defined as the ratio of the energy yield over the mass yield was 1.36 at the temperature of $250^{\circ}C$ for 45 minutes. The energy density was higher up to 1.6 at the temperature of $280^{\circ}C$, which indicates greater loss in mass. The major components of the gas produced in the torrefaction were $CO_2$ and CO, with traces of methane. The total amount of gas was 31.54 l/kg and the calorific value of the gas was $1,164.4Kcal/Nm^3$ at the temperature of $250^{\circ}C$ for 30 minute reaction time. Based on the results of this study, the temperature of effective torrefaction is about $250^{\circ}C$ for 30 to 45 minutes of reaction time. Considering the heating value, it is desirable to utilize the gas for efficient process of torrefaction.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.672-677
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• 2014

Torrefaction is a thermal treatment process to pre-treat biomass at temperature of $200{\sim}300^{\circ}C$ under an inert atmosphere. It was known that torrefaction process strongly depended on the decomposition temperature of the lignocellulosic constituents in biomass. In this work, the torrefaction characteristics of baggase has been studied. This study focuses on the relation between the energy yields, heating values, gas emission, volatile and ash constituents with torrefaction temperatures and times. The activation energies of baggase torrefaction has been studied by using TGA (Thermogravimetric Analyzer). From this work, it was seen that ash constituents and heating values were increased with torrefaction temperature, while volatile constituents and energy yields decreased. It was also found that carbon monoxide containing oxygen were decomposed at a lower temperature than those of hydrocarbon compounds, $C_xH_y$.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.465-469
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the feasibility of torrefied OPF (oil palm fronds) as the fuel. The torrefaction was performed at 200, 250, 300 and $350^{\circ}C$ during 1 and 2 hours, respectively. As raising the torrefaction temperature and increasing the processing time, the GHV (gross heating value) of torrefied OPFs was increased. Moreover, we found that the torrefaction temperature is more important factor than the processing time. However, the proper torrefaction temperature was asked because the higher torrefaction temperature leaded to the lower torrefied OPF yield. TGA (thermo-gravimetric analysis) data released that the torrefaction at $250^{\circ}C$ could significantly decompose the hemicellulose and the almost cellulose was decomposed at $300^{\circ}C$. In addition, the grindability of biomass was improved after torrefaction, so that it can reduce energy consumption in comminution.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.180-184
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• 2013

Purpose: This study explored the factors influencing heating value in the process of torrefaction of water hyacinth. Methods: Torrefaction was applied with three temperature settings (200, 300, $400^{\circ}C$) and three time settings (1, 2, 3 h) using small electric heaters (11.3L of holding volume). This study investigated the heating values with the washing process and process factors influenced the torrefaction. In addition, this study compared the heating values in washed and unwashed samples and suggested the optimal conditions for increasing heating value. Results: Torrefaction increased the heating value by 8.18 ~ 30.04%. Comparing heating values of each condition, the optimal temperature for torrefaction was $300^{\circ}C$ and holding time was 1 hour. The washing process increased the heating value by 19 ~ 27%. The heating value of the sample treated at $300^{\circ}C$ for three hours was 4310.80 kcal/kg, which was greater than the first class wood pellet of 4300 kcal/kg. Conclusions: This study proved that the torrefaction and washing process increased the heating value of water hyacinth. Therefore, water hyacinth is expected to be an eco-friendly biomass which substitutes for wood pellet.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.683-690
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• 2017

Wood pellet (WP), empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm kernel shell (PKS) which are biomass fuels for power generation are selected to study the characteristics of torrefaction process. These biomass fuels are torrefied at $220^{\circ}C$, $250^{\circ}C$, and $280^{\circ}C$. The heating value of biomass fuels is increased depending on the torrefaction temperature. However, due to energy yield decline, it is not always desirable to torrefy biomass at higher temperature. Considering the mass yield and energy yield after torrefaction, the most proper temperature conditions for torrefaction of WP is $250-280^{\circ}C$ and for EFB, PKS are $220-250^{\circ}C$. Additionally, to investigate the phenomenons of chlorine release during torrefaction process, Ion Chromatography (IC) method was used. In the case of EFB and PKS torrefied at $300^{\circ}C$, the chlorine component has been reduced by 97.5% and 95.3% compared to the raw biomass, respectively. In conclusion, torrefied biomass can be used as alternative fuels in replacement of coals for both aspects of heating value and chlorine corrosion problems.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.196-205
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fuel characteristics of thermally treated wood chips of the Larix kaempferi C. As torrefaction temperature was increased ($200^{\circ}C$ to $300^{\circ}C$), the carbon content, calorific value, and mass loss of torrefied wood chips increased significantly. The torrefied wood chips were shown to have hydrophobic properties even when only treated by mild torrefaction. The energy required to grind torrefied wood chips was reduced by the torrefaction process. Different sizes of wood chips were used in this study; however, this produced almost no difference in the fuel characteristics of processed Larix kaempferi C, except in the distribution of ground wood particles. Similar results were observed when the wood chips were torrefied for different lengths of time (15 min to 60 min) at a constant temperature. Torrefaction was shown to have positive effects on the fuel characteristics of Larix kaempferi C, including improved energy density, storage, and grindability.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.510-514
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• 2014

In this work, the effect of torrefaction on the basic characteristic of sewage sludge was studied to evaluate the energy potential as a solid fuel. Torrefaction experiments were performed at temperatures of $150{\sim}600^{\circ}C$. The torrefied sewage sludge was characterized by the energy yield, ash content, volatile fraction and high heating value (HHV). The gaseous products from torrefaction of the sewage sludge were also analyzed. Thermogravimetric analysis was carried out for the kinetic analysis of sewage sludge torrefaction. From this work, it was found that the ash content increased with an increase of the torrefaction temperature while the energy yield, HHV and volatile fraction decreased. It was also found that the emission of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon gases started at $300^{\circ}C$ by the thermal degradation of volatile components in the sewage sludge.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.34-45
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• 2016

Global warming and climate change have been caused by combustion of fossil fuels. The greenhouse gases contributed to the rise of temperature between $0.6^{\circ}C$ and $0.9^{\circ}C$ over the past century. Presently, fossil fuels account for about 88% of the commercial energy sources used. In developing countries, fossil fuels are a very attractive energy source because they are available and relatively inexpensive. The environmental problems with fossil fuels have been aggravating stress from already existing factors including acid deposition, urban air pollution, and climate change. In order to control greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2, fossil fuels must be replaced by eco-friendly fuels such as biomass. The use of renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly necessary. The biomass resources are the most common form of renewable energy. The conversion of biomass into energy can be achieved in a number of ways. The most common form of converted biomass is pellet fuels as biofuels made from compressed organic matter or biomass. Pellets from lignocellulosic biomass has compared to conventional fuels with a relatively low bulk and energy density and a low degree of homogeneity. Thermal pretreatment technology like torrefaction is applied to improve fuel efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass, i.e., less moisture and oxygen in the product, preferrable grinding properties, storage properties, etc.. During torrefacton, lignocelluosic biomass such as palm kernell shell (PKS) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) was roasted under an oxygen-depleted enviroment at temperature between 200 and $300^{\circ}C$. Low degree of thermal treatment led to the removal of moisture and low molecular volatile matters with low O/C and H/C elemental ratios. The mechanical characteristics of torrefied biomass have also been altered to a brittle and partly hydrophobic materials. Unfortunately, it was much harder to form pellets from torrefied PKS and EFB due to thermal degradation of lignin as a natural binder during torrefaction compared to non-torrefied ones. For easy pelletization of biomass with torrefaction, pellets from PKS and EFB were manufactured before torrefaction, and thereafter they were torrefied at different temperature. Even after torrefaction of pellets from PKS and EFB, their appearance was well preserved with better fuel efficiency than non-torrefied ones. The physical properties of the torrefied pellets largely depended on the torrefaction condition such as reaction time and reaction temperature. Temperature over $250^{\circ}C$ during torrefaction gave a significant impact on the fuel properties of the pellets. In particular, torrefied EFB pellets displayed much faster development of the fuel properties than did torrefied PKS pellets. During torrefaction, extensive carbonization with the increase of fixed carbons, the behavior of thermal degradation of torrefied biomass became significantly different according to the increase of torrefaction temperature. In conclusion, pelletization of PKS and EFB before torrefaction made it much easier to proceed with torrefaction of pellets from PKS and EFB, leading to excellent eco-friendly fuels.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.40-50
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• 2013

This study was performed to investigate the potential of torrefied tulip tree (TT) for the production of pellets. For this purpose, chemical composition and fuel characteristics of torrefied TT were examined. In addition, pellets were fabricated by using sawdust of torrefied TT chip, and durability of the pellet was measured. Lignin content of torrefied TT was higher than that of non-torrefied TT, and increased with the increases of torrefaction temperature and time. Fuel characteristics of torrefied TT were affected by torrefied conditions, and the characteristics were influenced more by torrefaction temperature than by torrefaction time. Higher heating value (HHV) and ash content (AC) of torrefied tulip tree increased with increasing torrefaction temperature, and the values were much higher than HHV and AC values of non-torrefied TT. Durability of pellets fabricated with $230^{\circ}C$- and $250^{\circ}C$-torrefied TT was higher than that of $270^{\circ}C$-torrefied TT, and the value exceeded the minimum requirement (-97.50%) of the 1st-grade pellet standard designated by Korea Forest Research Institute. Based on the results, torrefaction treatment of $250^{\circ}C/50min$ to TT might be a optimal condition for the production of TT pellets considering the mass balance and fuel characteristics of TT as well as the durability of the pellets. Thus, it is confirmed that torrefied TT can be used as a raw material for the production of bio-pellets.