Which one is better, pelletization of torrefied biomass or torrefaction of pelletized wood?

Torrefaction, a process different from carbonization, is a mild pyrolysis process carried out in a temperature range of 230 to 300 °C in the absence of oxygen.  This thermal pretreatment of biomass improves its energy density, reduces its  oxygen-to-carbon (O/C) ratio, and reduces its hygroscopic nature. During this process the biomass dries and partially devolatilizes, decreasing its mass while largely preserving its energy content. The torrefaction process removes H2O and CO2 from the biomass. As a result, both the O/C and the H/C ratios of the biomass decrease. But Torrefaction will increases the relative carbon content of the biomass. The properties of a torrefied wood depends on torrefaction temperature, time, and on the type of wood feed. Torrefaction also modifies the structure of the biomass, making it more friable or brittle. This is caused by the depolymerization of hemicellulose. This makes it easier to co-fire biomass in a pulverized-coal fired boiler or gasify it in an entrained-flow reactor. There is a 29 to 33% increase in energy density (energy per unit mass) of the biomass through torrefaction. This increases its higher heating value (HHV) to about 20 MJ/kg.  To know more advantages of the torrefaction, please click here.

In biomass, hemicellulose is like the cement in reinforced concrete, and cellulose is like the steel rods. The strands of microfibrils (cellulose) are supported by the hemicellulose. Decomposition of hemicellulose during torrefaction is like the melting away of the cement from the reinforced concrete. Thus, the size reduction of biomass consumes less energy after torrefaction.

During torrefaction the weight loss of biomass comes primarily from the decomposition of its hemicellulose constituents. Hemicellulose decomposes mostly within the temperature range 150 to 280 °C, which is the temperature window of torrefaction. As we can see from  Figure below, the hemicellulose component undergoes the greatest amount of degradation within the 200 to 300 °C temperature window. Lignin, the binder component of biomass, starts softening above its glass-softening temperature (~130 °C), which helps densification (pelletization) of torrefied biomass. Unlike hemicellulose, cellulose shows limited devolatilzation and carbonization and that too does not start below 250 °C.

Weight loss in wood cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin during torrefaction

Thus, hemicellulose decomposition is the primary mechanism of torrefaction. At lower temperatures (< 160 °C), as biomass dries it releases H2O and CO2. Water and carbon dioxide, which make no contribution to the energy in the product gas, constitute a dominant portion of the weight loss during  torrefaction. Above 180 °C, the reaction becomes exothermic, releasing gas  with small heating values. The initial stage (< 250 °C) involves hemicellulose depolymerization, leading to an altered and rearranged polysugar structures (Bergman et al., 2005a). At higher temperatures (250–300 °C) these form chars, CO, CO2, and H2O. The hygroscopic property of biomass is partly lost in torrefaction because of the destruction of OH groups through dehydration, which prevents the formation of hydrogen bonds.

A typical reaction time is about 30 minutes. The properties of torrefied wood depend on (1) the type of wood, (2) the reaction temperature, and (3) the reaction time. Pelletization may not increase the energy density on a mass basis, but it can increase the energy content of the fuel on a volume basis. Pelletization of torrefied biomass is better than torrefaction  of pelletized wood from the standpoint of process energy consumption and  product stability.This is because :

a. Torrefied biomass (torrefied wood), for example using sawdust as feedstock, so the torrefaction process will consume less energy due to the smaller particle size than the pelletized wood (wood pellets).  Surface material can be in contact with the process of torrefaction is also larger in general when the particle size is smaller, so that better product quality (product stability). Normally before entering the torrefaction process feedstock will be diminished to the size of a certain size and drying up to a certain moisture content.
b. Physical form of pelletized wood (wood pellets) will be damaged due to torrefaction so irregular and will tend to shrink. While torrefied biomass has no problem with it because the physical form of the final product after pelletization.

Selection of Pyrolysis Technology to Produce Charcoal from Biomass

Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of biomass into a range of useful  products, either in the total absence of oxidizing agents or with a limited supply that does not permit gasification to an appreciable extent. It is one of several  reaction steps or zones observed in a gasifier if we use gasification application. During pyrolysis, large complex hydrocarbon molecules of biomass break down into relatively smaller and simpler molecules of gas, liquid, and char.

Pyrolysis has similarity to and some overlap with processes like cracking, devolatilization, carbonization, dry distillation, destructive distillation, and thermolysis, but it has no similarity with the gasification process, which involves chemical reactions with an external agent known as gasification medium. Pyrol-ysis of biomass is typically carried out in a relatively low temperature range of 300 to 650 °C compared to 800 to 1000 °C for gasification. Other review the difference between pyrolysis and gasification, please click here.

The product of pyrolysis depends on the design of the pyrolyzer, the physical and chemical characteristics of the biomass, and important operating parameters such as

-  Heating rate

-  Final temperature (pyrolysis temperature)

-  Residence time in the reaction zone

Besides these, the tar and the yields of other products depend on (1) pressure,  (2) ambient gas composition, and (3) presence of mineral catalysts (Shafizadeh, 1984).

By changing the final temperature and the heating rate, it is possible to change the relative yields of the solid, liquid, and gaseous products of pyrolysis.  Rapid heating yields higher volatiles and more reactive char than produced by  a slower heating process; slower heating rate and longer residence time result in secondary char produced from a reaction between the primary char and the volatiles.

-->

Type of Pyrolysis

Based on heating rate, pyrolysis may be broadly classified as slow and fast. It is considered slow if the time, theating, required to heat the fuel to the pyrolysis temperature is much longer than the characteristic pyrolysis reaction time,  tr, and vice versa. That is:

-Slow pyrolysis: theating is bigger than tr

-Fast pyrolysis: theating is smaller tr

These criteria may be expressed in terms of heating rate as well, assuming a simple linear heating rate (Tpyr/theating, K/s). The characteristic reaction time, tr, for a single reaction is taken as the reciprocal of the rate constant,  k, evaluated at the pyrolysis temperature (Probstein and Hicks, 2006, p. 63).

There are a few other variants depending on the medium in and pressure at which the pyrolysis is carried out. Given specific operating conditions, each process has its characteristic products and applications. In the following list, the first two types are based on the heating rate while the third is based on the environment or medium in which the pyrolysis is carried out: (1) slow pyrolysis, (2) fast pyrolysis, and (3) hydropyrolysis.

Slow and fast pyrolysis are carried out generally in the absence of a medium.  Two other types are conducted in a specific medium: (1) hydrous pyrolysis (in H2O) and (2) hydropyrolysis (in H2). These types are used mainly for the production of chemicals.

In slow pyrolysis, the residence time of vapor in the pyrolysis zone (vapor residence time) is on the order of minutes or longer. This process is used primarily for char production and is broken down into two types: (1) carbonization and (2) conventional.

In fast pyrolysis, the vapor residence time is on the order of seconds or milliseconds. This type of pyrolysis, used primarily for the production of bio-oil and gas, is of two main types: (1) flash and (2) ultra-rapid. Carbonization produces mainly charcoal; fast pyrolysis processes target production of liquid or  gas.

-->

Production of charcoal through Pyrolysis

Carbon is a preferred product of biomass pyrolysis at a moderate temperature.  Thermodynamic equilibrium calculation shows that the char yield of most biomass may not exceed 35%. See table below gives the theoretical equilibrium yield of biomass at different temperatures. Assuming that cellulose represents biomass, the stoichiometric equation for production of charcoal (Antal, 2003) may be written as :

 

Charcoal production from biomass requires slow heating for a long duration but at a relatively low temperature of around 400 °C. An extreme example of a pyrolysis or carbonization is in the coke oven in an iron and steel plant, which pyrolyzes (carbonizes) coking coal to produce hard coke used for iron extraction. This is an indirectly pyrolyzer that operates at a temperature exceeding 1000 °C and for a long period of time to maximize gas and solid coke production.

-->

The best biochar  for improving soil quality (agricultural application) can be produced with slow pyrolysis process, more review on this, please click here.  The best charcoal for activated carbon production also can be produced with this process, more explanation please click here. We can also produce high fixed carbon charcoal with this technology, read more click here. In simple words we will produce charcoal as you wish.

Biobased Economy through Biomass Torrefaction

Lately a number of places in Indonesia has begun the production of wood pellets and wood chips as a renewable fuel. Biomass waste treatment has reduced the waste pollution and provide economic benefits. Since its application to energy the higher the energy content, the better it will be in addition to other properties. Through torrefaction of biomass will experience a thermal process that makes the content of volatiles is reduced, leaving the higher energy content / energy density (or energy content / unit mass is usually presented in kcal / kg) in the biomass solids.

Torrefaction of biomass which is then followed by compaction of pellets or briquettes will make the energy content per volume (one of which is expressed in units GJ/M3) the greater. And it will save on transportation costs. Torrefaction becomes an important concern lately because of the benefits torrefaction properties of these products, compared to wood pellets or wood chips. Appropriate technology that can be relied greatly needed for the commercialization process. JF BioCarbon have an effective technology for torrefaction, the more details please click here.

Many people noticed that the biomass torrefaction will soon find its golden ages at some future time. Indonesia and Malaysia in particular as a country rich in the amount of biomass it will be great potential for applying this technology. The palm oil industry is one of the potential with huge potential for implementation. A large number of oil mills and the high solid waste generated indicating the potential magnitude of the abundant raw materials. In terms of market is a matter that can not be denied that the energy needs will continue to increase directly proportional to the increase in human population. Biomass torrefaction is one way the most efficient utilization of biomass for energy. For further details, please click here.

Only With Continuous Pyrolysis, Charcoal Briquette Industry Will Get a Supply Of High Quality Raw Materials

Charcoal briquette plant with a large capacity can only be supplied charcoal produced from continuous pyrolysis technology. The quality of products are standard and stable as well as the quantity of large quantities can only be met when using continuous pyrolysis technology in the process of charcoal production. Charcoal of satisfactory market quality can be made in kilns of any size or type when suitable coaling temperature and time conditions are present. It is perhaps more difficult to produce charcoal of consistently high quality in uninsulated metal kilns because of rapid and large heat loss.

The growing popularity of charcoal briquette has spurred great interest recently because its benefit on specific fuel application. Some information on plant equipment, manufacturing detail and the practicability of briquette production with contionous pyrolysis system to provide a few items of special interest.

Equipment : The equipment required for briquette manufacture is highly specialized. Powered units are required for grinding and mixing dry and wet charcoal, wet forming the briquettes, moving material in the process, and continous drying. Production rates are 1 to 3.5 tons of briquettes per hour. The equipment for both capacities is basically the same, but somewhat larger and heavier machines are needed for 3.5 ton output. Standard equipment for a 1-ton-per-hour briquetting plant includes the following :

-Briquette press with paddle feeder

-Hammer mill

-Charcoal feeder with surge hopper

-Paddle mixer

-Vertical fluxer

-Starch feeder or pump

-Briquette drier

-Boiler, 30 horsepower - - 15 pounds per square inch gage pressure

-Conveyors

-Bagging machine

-Building, 60 feet by 120 feet, with 20 feet clear height.

The labor requirements per shift are eight men, including a foreman, a machine operator, a night-shift maintenance man, a bagger and three men for warehouse and miscellaneous jobs.

Plant processing :-In general , charcoal lump and fines as received or from plant storage are fed by screw conveyor to hammer mill or crusher for feed material of 1/8-inch and smaller screen size. The ground charcoal is moved mechanically or by air to a surge bin for metered flows to the mixer, metered amounts of about 5 percent of binder (potato, corn or cassava starch) with water are added. After agiataion in a paddle mixer, the mixture is run through the fluxer for more throrough working of the mass before it is transferred to the press feeder for regulated flow to the forming press.

From the press, the wet or green briquettes are moved by belt conveyor to a special device for uniform loading and continous passage through the drier. The conditions for the drying are usually a 3-to 4-hour period at a temperature of about 275 F. The processing steps are carried out as shown in figure below.

Because of the large daily charcoal requirements and the investment necessary for even the smallest commercial briquette operation, it is not practical for the smaller kiln operator to undertake such manufacture. Operating the smallest commercial plant at a production rate of about 10 tons of briquette per day would require at least 250 tons of charcoal monthly.  Briquetting plants usually operate on two or three shifts per day for most economical production.

 

Only charcoal plant with level of production above 10 tons/day adequate for charcoal briquette plants need.  JFE project can provide charcoal plant (continous pyrolysis technology)  to meet that needs include high specification (quality) of charcoal requirement if it’s needed.      

The Future of Bamboo Plantation Is Renewable Energy and Water Purification

Fossil fuel reserves are dwindling while energy demand continues to rise, the phenomenon of climate change, environmental degradation due to pollution and the depletion of forest area on the surface of the earth makes people think to look for solutions. It is estimated that the earth needs a new forest covering 70 million ha within the next 2 years, which means that each country needs to make 320 thousand ha. Bamboo plant has very promising prospects in the future, amid concern the world over, to climate change, forest protection and a number of important issues like the above.

Bamboo is a plant source of timber that can grow rapidly in the earth. And a plant replacement timber from tropical forests which are now greatly reduced due to the enormous demand from industry, therefore attention to the production of bamboo began to increase in all continents either Asia, Africa, Europe and America. In this 21st century bamboo industry will continue to be an increasingly valuable commodity. Even the African continent has seen bamboo as a potential source of renewable energy. Europe has also seen the potential of bamboo as a source of bioenergy. While in India, one of the countries in Asia are building power plants using fuel made ​​from bamboo.

Bamboo is a plant that is able to regenerate itself naturally. While bamboo stalks are harvested, then the new shoots will appear and replace them within a few months. If compared with a tree that can only be harvested with the rotation a few years, bamboo can be harvested on a regular basis per year. Rapid growth of bamboo which means ensuring the continuity to meet the ongoing needs.

Depending on the type, bamboo plantations can be earning more than 50 years. First harvest bamboo plants in plantations usually begins after age 5-7 years. The process of harvesting can be done with equipment that is fairly simple and inexpensive. Such as hand saws, and other simple tools that are often in need.

In plantations, bamboo will produce biomass that can support to maintain a green environment. 1,000 hectares of bamboo plantation can produce approximately 30 thousand tons of timber resources. The cost to create a new plantation depends on the cost of labor, land preparation, fertilizer, irrigation, and plants. It costs almost the same as making timber plantation. But there is a huge difference at the payback period, the timber takes longer than bamboo plantation. Investment in bamboo plantations will be back in less than 10 years. And for that reason tersebutlah the bamboo plantations generate profits faster than wood. Bamboo plantations will be very profitable after 5 years.

Potential of bamboo as raw material for renewable energy such as charcoal and torrified wood. By using continuous pyrolysis technology that products can be produced. Bamboo charcoal can then be further processed into activated charcoal (activated carbon) for water purification. Due to the increasingly severe environmental degradation due to soil pollution by industry and households, the need for activated charcoal for water purification will be even greater.

Used Tire Pyrolysis: An Efficient Method Extracting Energy from Used Tires

Vehicle tires will only end up in landfills and objects made ​​of rubber is causing serious environmental problems. Every year around the world more than one billion vehicle tires discarded. Tire production in Indonesia also increased from year to year. Along with that, then the waste tires are not used in the environment is increasing. Most people prefer to throw it away than to recycle more useful results. Experts often confused with the environmental problems caused by tires that are not easily biodegradable material.

Conditions of use of energy is still dominated by fossil fuels should be reduced slowly and gradually replaced by renewable energy. According to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Darwin Zahedy Saleh , oil in Indonesia is expected to expire within the next 23 years and can not be updated. Petroleum is not used to meet energy needs but also as a raw material of chemical industry products such as plastics and tires.  

Abundant amount of used tires that can be recycled by thermal decomposition using pyrolysis to produce a primary product of petroleum that can be used as a source of energy or raw materials of many chemical industries. Other products in the form of carbon black will be widely used for coloring tires, syngas also for the application of energy or production of electricity and steel wire as raw material for metal casting.

Processing of used tires do not just simply solve the waste problem but also be economically advantageous. Great added value will be obtained when the product processing scrap tires have high economic value, a commodity that is always needed by communities and sustainable. The use of continuous pyrolysis technology is the right choice for the processing of scrap tires to produce petroleum products (crude oil), black carbon, syngas and steel wire, all of which have added great value and is the raw material of various industries.

Every 60 tonnes of scrap tires are processed in the pyrolysis can produce:
-18 000 liters of oil
-18 000 kg of carbon black
-6600 Kg of steel wire
-17,400 Kg syngas (synthetic gas)

Scrap tires are initially reduced size in about 1 inch and then go into the pyrolysis unit as the unit of production. A carbon black product, syngas, and crude oil will come out on the pyrolysis unit outlet. Syngas can be directly used for electricity generation using gas engine powerplant (gas generator), the capacity of 6o tons / day of INPUT will produce about 1 MW of electricity. While carbon black products of the pyrolysis unit will be passed in a magnetic separator for the separation of steel wire.

For many industries that are currently utilizing scrap tires as a fuel by burning it directly, so it is better to use the pyrolysis unit to extract the energy content in scrap tires. Direct combustion of scrap tires will cause a major environmental pollution and harm. It also does not provide much added value. Continuous pyrolysis will be able to extract the energy content of scrap tires effectively and efficiently, such as syngas produced from pyrolysis can be used as an energy source, because in that place no longer require an additional power supply, or use the crude oil produced for the same purpose .

We Will Produce Charcoal As You Wish

Charcoal has widespread uses include metallurgy, tobbaco curing, water purification (activated carbon), poultry and animal feeds, soil Amendment, and other miscellaneous uses. Charcoal is made by a certain process conditions to achieve the specifications according to their usefulness.

The amounts of moisture (2 to 4 percent), volatiles (18 to 23 percent), ash (1 to 4 percent), and fixed carbon (74 to 81 percent) in charcoal provide an average index of quality for general market acceptance either in lump or briquette form. Charcoal with relatively low volatile content and correspondingly higher amounts of fixed carbon is desirable for specialized industrial uses. Temperatures somewhat higher than the normal kiln operating temperatures of 850° to 950° F (454°  to 510° C) are required to produce it. The volatiles, when present in proportions greater than about 24 percent, will cause smoking when charcoal is burned and will give product degrade in some areas of recreational use.

 

In a continuous process raw organic material of any kind is passed through the retorts and cooked into marketable products. While some of the biogas is used to fuel its own process, on site gas turbines or steam boilers can be fueled by the same gas. Variable speed drives give the operator total control on product quality by altering the residence time of the feed stock. The operator can also vary the percentage split between the bio-oil and charcoal by changing the temperature.

 

Chemical properties can be precisely determined only with analytical equipment. A rough quality test for volatiles can be made, however, by burning samples of charcoal and observing the absence or extent of smoking. A metallic ring when a piece of charcoal is dropped onto a hard surface provides a further rough test for good quality. Too rapid coaling at high temperature usually results in the formation of crumbly charcoal easily broken into small pieces and fines. The species of wood does not influence the chemical quality of charcoal; the physical properties, however, are influenced by wood density and structure. For example, the low-density woods produce charcoal in greater bulk, while some woods will produce brittle charcoal. In general, the lump charcoal obtained from the medium-dense to dense hardwoods is considered a cleaner product because of less breakage and dusting with handling.