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Biomass Torrefaction and Its Applications in Low-Carbon Industry
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Biomass Torrefaction and Its Applications in Low-Carbon Industry

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A4: Bio-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (23 June 2023) | Viewed by 7780

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Szymon Szufa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Interests: distributed energy systems using upgraded (torrefied, torrefied and pelletized) biomass for cogeneration units; additives for fertilizers and active carbon production as a core technology for novel; more sustainable energy and agriculture systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sebastian Werle

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: pyrolysis; gasification; biomass; sewage sludge; low-emission combustion

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomass, as a feedstock, has huge potential to replace fossil fuels, and it should reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as we proceed towards 2050. Today, the main global problem is that CO2 emissions are rising every year, and, in 2020, the atmospheric CO2 concentration was already higher than 410 ppm, which exceeded the safe global limits. This implies that the anthropogenic activity from fossil fuel combustion still plays an important role in energy consumption, even though many efforts have been made regarding power generation from solar and wind energy. Recently, bioenergy has become the fourth largest primary energy source after oil, coal, and natural gas, and it has proven to be advantageous. Biomass torrefaction is a thermochemical process (carbonization, roasting) of biomass at 200–350 ⁰C. It is carried out under atmospheric conditions and in the absence of oxygen. During the process, the water contained in the biomass, as well as superfluous, volatiles is removed, and the biopolymers (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) partly decompose, giving off various types of volatiles (i.e., torrefaction off-gas volatiles). By using thermo-chemical conversion of biomass feedstocks, biomass feedstocks can be upgraded by the different types of torrefaction process, such as:

  • Dry torrefaction (oxidative or non-oxidative conditions);
  • Wet torrefaction/hydrothermal carbonization (water, diluted acid);
  • Steam torrefaction.

Torrefaction process can be categorized and grouped into dry and wet torrefaction. It can be also divided into oxidative torrefaction and non-oxidative torrefaction. In the last 20 years, a large number of different torrefaction methods have investigated and developed non-oxidative torrefaction—many times termed torrefaction—and have great potential in commercial and industrial applications in comparison to other methods.

This Special Issue focuses on different biomass torrefaction processes and their applications in low-carbon demand industry for the production of carbonized solid biofuels, biochar as an additive for organic fertilizers, biosorbent production for chemical industry, as well as thermo-chemical process production and it being upgraded to obtain new bio-products for special dedication (functional application) purposes such as, for example, activated carbon for deodorization in biogas plants. We therefore invite papers on biomass torrefaction process technology, bioproduct production for different industrial applications, torrefaction process kinetics modeling, reviews, industrial demo examples, case study scenarios, LCA analysis of biomass torrefaction plants. Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Biomass torrefaction technologies;
  • Biomass torrefaction modeling: lab, semi-industrial scale, full-scale scenarios;
  • Kinetics of biomass torrefaction process;
  • Techno-economical assessment of biomass torrefaction plants;
  • Emission problems related to biomass torrefaction product storage;
  • Safety aspects of biomass torrefaction process in semi and industrial scale;
  • Environmental evaluation of biomass torrefaction process;
  • Optimization of biofuel production processes;
  • Impact of raw material processing on product parameters;
  • LCA, SLCA analysis of biomass torrefaction plants.

Dr. Szymon Szufa
Dr. Sebastian Werle
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • dry torrefaction
  • wet torrefaction
  • steam torrefaction
  • biofuels
  • biochar
  • biocarbon
  • biosorbents
  • activated carbon
  • by-products
  • carbonized fuel
  • biofertilizers
  • hydrochar

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

0 pages, 9280 KiB  
Article
Torrefaction of Willow in Batch Reactor and Co-Firing of Torrefied Willow with Coal
by Hilal Unyay, Piotr Piersa, Magdalena Zabochnicka, Zdzisława Romanowska-Duda, Piotr Kuryło, Ksawery Kuligowski, Paweł Kazimierski, Taras Hutsol, Arkadiusz Dyjakon, Edyta Wrzesińska-Jędrusiak, Andrzej Obraniak and Szymon Szufa
Energies 2023, 16(24), 8083; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16248083 - 15 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 797
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 [...] Read more.
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. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Torrefaction and Its Applications in Low-Carbon Industry)
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17 pages, 3269 KiB  
Article
An Algorithm for Managerial Actions on the Rational Use of Renewable Sources of Energy: Determination of the Energy Potential of Biomass in Lithuania
by Valentyna Kukharets, Dalia Juočiūnienė, Taras Hutsol, Olena Sukmaniuk, Jonas Čėsna, Savelii Kukharets, Piotr Piersa, Szymon Szufa, Iryna Horetska and Alona Shevtsova
Energies 2023, 16(1), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010548 - 3 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1651
Abstract
This paper offers an algorithm to account for potential actions on the efficient production of renewable energy. The algorithm consists of a substantiated choice of a certain type of renewable energy, the evaluation of its potential, and the regulation of the processes of [...] Read more.
This paper offers an algorithm to account for potential actions on the efficient production of renewable energy. The algorithm consists of a substantiated choice of a certain type of renewable energy, the evaluation of its potential, and the regulation of the processes of obtaining that renewable energy. Also, potential resources for agricultural biofuel production have been analyzed and it has been determined that there is real biomass potential in Lithuania. It will thus be beneficial to make appropriate managerial decisions on the methods of biofuel processing and consumption, as well as on means of receiving the economic, energy and environmental effects. The total potential of by-product biomass of crop production was determined, and the thermal and electric potential of the crop by-products were calculated. Additionally, the potential for production of gas-like types of fuel (biomethane, biohydrogen, and syngas) from crop by-products was determined. The potential for the production of diesel biofuel from oil crop waste (bran) was also found, and the potential for livestock by-products for receiving gas-like types of fuel (biomethane, biohydrogen) was established. The corresponding thermal and electric equivalents of the potential were found and the potential volumes of the biomethane and biohydrogen production were calculated. The total energy equivalent equals, on average, 30.017 × 106 GJ of the thermal energy and 9.224 × 106 GJ of the electric energy in Lithuania. The total potential of biomethane production (taking into account crop production and animal husbandry wastes) on average equals 285.6 × 106 m3. The total potential of biohydrogen production on average equals 251.9 × 106 m3. The cost equivalents of the energy potential of agrarian biomass have been calculated. The average cost equivalent of the thermal energy could equal EUR 8.9 billion, electric energy—EUR 15.9 billion, biomethane—EUR 3.3 billion and biohydrogen—EUR 14.1 billion. The evaluation of the agricultural biomass potential as a source of renewable energy confirmed that Lithuania has a large biomass potential and satisfies the needs for the production of renewable energy. Thus, it is possible to move to the second step, that of making a decision concerning biomass conversion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Torrefaction and Its Applications in Low-Carbon Industry)
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27 pages, 29474 KiB  
Article
Pine Wood and Sewage Sludge Torrefaction Process for Production Renewable Solid Biofuels and Biochar as Carbon Carrier for Fertilizers
by Piotr Piersa, Szymon Szufa, Justyna Czerwińska, Hilal Ünyay, Łukasz Adrian, Grzegorz Wielgosinski, Andrzej Obraniak, Wiktoria Lewandowska, Marta Marczak-Grzesik, Maria Dzikuć, Zdzislawa Romanowska-Duda and Tomasz P. Olejnik
Energies 2021, 14(23), 8176; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14238176 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2479
Abstract
This work presents the results of research on the thermo-chemical conversion of woody biomass–pine wood coming from lodzkie voivodship forests and sewage sludge from the Group Sewage Treatment Plant of the Łódź Urban Agglomeration. Laboratory scale analyses of the carbonization process were carried [...] Read more.
This work presents the results of research on the thermo-chemical conversion of woody biomass–pine wood coming from lodzkie voivodship forests and sewage sludge from the Group Sewage Treatment Plant of the Łódź Urban Agglomeration. Laboratory scale analyses of the carbonization process were carried out, initially using the TGA technique (to assess activation energy (EA)), followed by a flow reactor operating at temperature levels of 280–525 °C. Both the parameters of carbonized solid biofuel and biochar as a carrier for fertilizer (proximate and ultimate analysis) and the quality of the torgas (VOC) were analyzed. Analysis of the pine wood and sewage sludge torrefaction process shows clearly that the optimum process temperature would be around 325–350 °C from a mass loss ratio and economical perspective. This paper shows clearly that woody biomass, such as pine wood and sewage sludge, is a very interesting material both for biofuel production and in further processing for biochar production, used not only as an energy carrier but also as a new type of carbon source in fertilizer mixtures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Torrefaction and Its Applications in Low-Carbon Industry)
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20 pages, 10983 KiB  
Article
Medical Peat Waste Upcycling to Carbonized Solid Fuel in the Torrefaction Process
by Kacper Świechowski, Małgorzata Leśniak and Andrzej Białowiec
Energies 2021, 14(19), 6053; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14196053 - 23 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1994
Abstract
Peat is the main type of peloid used in Polish cosmetic/healing spa facilities. Depending on treatment and origin, peat waste can be contaminated microbiologically, and as a result, it must be incinerated in medical waste incineration plants without energy recovery (local law). Such [...] Read more.
Peat is the main type of peloid used in Polish cosmetic/healing spa facilities. Depending on treatment and origin, peat waste can be contaminated microbiologically, and as a result, it must be incinerated in medical waste incineration plants without energy recovery (local law). Such a situation leads to peat waste management costs increase. Therefore, in this work, we checked the possibility of peat waste upcycling to carbonized solid fuel (CSF) using torrefaction. Torrefaction is a thermal treatment process that removes microbiological contamination and improves the fuel properties of peat waste. In this work, the torrefaction conditions (temperature and time) on CSF quality were tested. Parallelly, peat decomposition kinetics using TGA and torrefaction kinetics with lifetime prediction using macro-TGA were determined. Furthermore, torrefaction theoretical mass and energy balance were determined. The results were compared with reference material (wood), and as a result, obtained data can be used to adjust currently used wood torrefaction technologies for peat torrefaction. The results show that torrefaction improves the high heating value of peat waste from 19.0 to 21.3 MJ × kg−1, peat main decomposition takes place at 200–550 °C following second reaction order (n = 2), with an activation energy of 33.34 kJ × mol−1, and pre-exponential factor of 4.40 × 10−1 s−1. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed that peat torrefaction required slightly more energy than wood torrefaction, and macro-TGA showed that peat torrefaction has lower torrefaction constant reaction rates (k) than wood 1.05 × 10−5–3.15 × 10−5 vs. 1.43 × 10−5–7.25 × 10−5 s−1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Torrefaction and Its Applications in Low-Carbon Industry)
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