Publication detail

Torrefied biomass fuels as a renewable alternative to coal in co-firing for power generation

Sher, F., Yaqoob, A., Saeed, F., Zhang, S., Jahan, Z., Klemeš, J.J

Original Title

Torrefied biomass fuels as a renewable alternative to coal in co-firing for power generation

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

This study aims to assess the torrefaction of biomass as alternative renewable energy fuel to coal during co-firing. It was evaluated that torrefaction improves biomass grindability to such an extent that it can be used in coal mills with coal in co-firing without capital intensive modification. Torrefaction of beech wood was performed on a batch scale reactor at three different temperatures (200, 250 and 300 degrees C) with 30 min of residence time. The chemical structural changes in torrefled biomass were investigated with binding energies and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) analysis. Monocombustion and co-combustion tests were performed to examine the combustion behaviour regarding flue gas emissions (CO, NOx and SO2) at 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 m distance from the burner opening along with fly ash analysis. The FTIR and binding energies showed that lignin hardly affected during light torrefaction while hemicellulosic material was significantly depleted. The Hardgrove grindability index (HGI) was calculated with three methods (DIN51742, IFK and ISO). The medium temperature torrefled biomass (MTTB) yields HGI value in the range of 32-37 that was comparable with HGI of El Cerrejon coal (36-41). A slight change in temperature enabled the torrefled beech wood to be co-milled with coal without capital intensive modification and improved grindability. Comparing the combustion behaviour of single fuels, low temperature torrefled biomass (LTTB) produces less amount of NOx (426 mg/m(3)), CO (0.002 mg/m(3)) and SO2 (2 mg/m(3)) as compared MTTB and raw beech wood. In the case of co-combustion, it was found that blending of coal with raw biomass does not show a stable behaviour. However, premixing of 50% of coal with 50% of torrefled biomasses (MTTB and LTTB) gives most stable behaviour and reduces NOx almost 30% and SOx up to almost 50% compared to coal. The fly ash contents analysis proved that K2O contents much decreased during co-firing of coal and torrefled fuels that could cause ash related issues during combustion of raw biomass. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Renewable energy; CO2 emissions; Torrefaction; Biomass; Hardgrove grindability index; Co-combustion; Emissions profile and power plant

Authors

Sher, F., Yaqoob, A., Saeed, F., Zhang, S., Jahan, Z., Klemeš, J.J

Released

15. 10. 2020

Publisher

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND

Location

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND

ISBN

0360-5442

Periodical

Energy

Number

209

State

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Pages from

118444

Pages to

118444

Pages count

13

URL

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544220315528?via%3Dihub

BibTex

@article{BUT167970,
  author="Jiří {Klemeš}",
  title="Torrefied biomass fuels as a renewable alternative to coal in co-firing for power generation",
  journal="Energy",
  year="2020",
  number="209",
  pages="118444--118444",
  doi="10.1016/j.energy.2020.118444",
  issn="0360-5442",
  url="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544220315528?via%3Dihub"
}