Simulation of temperature and reaction time prediction of the torrefaction process: case of hard-wood biomass

摘要

Direct utilisation of biomass for energy application is less profound due to the problems of low calorific value, high water content, and low grindability of biomass. For this reason, pre-heating treatment, sometimes called torrefaction, is necessary to improve the physical properties of biomass similar to 'coal-like' material. Unfortunately, only few comprehensive but simple theoretical models focused on hard-wood biomass were available to describe the torrefaction process. In this discussion, a simple proposed torrefaction model was developed and reported. The model has ability to estimate the yield of product mass and energy after the torrefaction process and determine the optimum conditions.