TORREFACTION AND PARTIAL PYROLYSIS TO PRODUCE FUEL PELLETS WITH COUNTER CURRENT FLOW OF TAR

摘要

The present application discloses a continuous process for the preparation of fuel pellets, said process comprising the steps of a) feeding a feedstock to a torrefaction and partial pyrolysis step at a temperature in the range from 250° C. to 500° C., whereby a solid char and volatile fraction are obtained, said volatile fraction comprising a tar fraction; b) directing the evolved volatile fraction as counter current stream relative to the stream of the feedstock, and at least partially condensing the volatile fraction on the incoming feedstock so as to obtain a tar-rich fraction combined with the incoming feedstock; and c) pelletization of the combined solid char/tar-rich fraction so as to obtain said fuel pellets. Novel fuel pellets are also disclosed.