A Novel Approach to the Production of Biochar with Improved Fuel Characteristics from Biomass Waste
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ORIGINAL PAPER
A Novel Approach to the Production of Biochar with Improved Fuel Characteristics from Biomass Waste Hons K. Wyn1 · Sergio Zárate1 · Jeronimo Carrascal1 · Luis Yermán1 Received: 5 April 2019 / Accepted: 25 November 2019 © Springer Nature B.V. 2019
Abstract This paper examines the potential for using forward self-sustaining smouldering for the oxidative pyrolysis/torrefaction of lignocellulosic biomass, aiming to produce biochar with fuel characteristics. A vertical, fixed-bed reactor was used for this purpose, where an upwards air flow acted as oxidant. Once smouldering is initiated, the reaction is sustained without the need of supplementary energy. The biochar production was studied at three different airflow rates. In order to perform a systematic study, commercial wood pellets were used for this proof-of-concept. The wood pellets and the biochar obtained were characterized by means of elemental, proximate and thermogravimetric analyses. Results showed that the airflow rate can be used to control the temperature of the process and therefore, the characteristics of the final product. Energy densifications of up to 70% were obtained, and it has shown to increase with the airflow rate. The resulting biochar in the best case scenario has a HHV of 31.3 kJ/g, along with an atomic O/C and H/C ratios of 0.009, and 0.338 respectively. The Van Krevelen diagrams of the biochar samples suggested that energy densification is due to the loss of compounds containing hydrogen and oxygen. The increase of the airflow used during the process showed a reduction in the content of alkali and alkaline earth metallic species in the products, which is desired for its application as solid fuel. This proof-of-concept showed promising results towards the development of an on-site, sustainable, cost effective and continuous process for the torrefaction/pyrolysis of lignocellulosic residue from harvesting operations. Graphic Abstract
Keywords Biochar · Biomass · Self-sustaining smouldering · Torrefaction · Pyrolysis
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-019-00909-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. * Hons K. Wyn [email protected] 1
School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Statement of Novelty Smouldering combustion has historically been viewed as a fire safety hazard. In recent years, research has shown that smouldering combustion can be utilized as an application for soil remediation and to treat waste. This research progresses the research on smouldering combustion as the study shows
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that smouldering, in addition to its previous application, can also be used to treat woody forestry wastes, as well as turning them into char for use as fuel. A proof-of-concept is presented in the research where biochar from wood waste can be produce without the use of external energy. This is ideal for on-site applications with significant savings in trans
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