Torrefaction of oil palm residual biomass: Thermogravimetric characterization

摘要

The influence of process parameters on torrefaction reactions and products distribution of empty fruit bunches (EFB) and mesocarp fiber is evaluated in a thermogravimetric facility equipped with evolved gas analysis (TG/EGA). Heating rate, torrefaction temperature and solids residence time are varied. The influence of transport phenomena and secondary reactions due to particle size and solids bed height is evaluated to avoid significant inhomogeneities in the samples. This analysis aimed to describe and compare the torrefaction behavior of EFB and mesocarp fiber from Colombian species in a wide range of fixed bed processing conditions, for similar heating rates from 5 to 15 K/min. Results show that solid mass yields are determined by torrefaction temperature. Solids residence time and heating reate show a much smaller influence. Regarding torrefaction kinetics, a formal pseudo components independent parallel reactions model for biomass pyrolysis, is successfully implemented.