Comparative advantages of gas-pressurized torrefaction for corn stalk conversion to achieve solid biofuel production

Abstract

Torrefaction is a feasible approach to produce biochar. Several new torrefaction methods have been conducted for biochar production. Among them, gas-pressurized torrefaction is considered a new technology to produce solid biofuel with better fuel performance, without carrier gas, and higher deoxygenation. This study conducts a comparative analysis between conventional torrefaction and gas-pressurized torrefaction to identify the potential applications of the latter. The results indicate that increasing reaction pressure can achieve biochar volume reduction and HHV improvement, thus leading to a higher energy density. The conventional torrefied biochar yield is in the range of 54.13–90.11%, and it is 48.59–80.13% for gas-pressurized one. Moreover, a more extensive surface area, higher carbonization degree, and more stable pyrolysis characteristics are obtained compared to conventional torrefaction. The carbonization index values of conventional and gas-pressurized conditions are 1.04–1.42 and 1.06–1.48. The correlation analysis results suggest that biochar grindability is highly correlated to carbonaceous properties, regardless of torrefaction methods. The expense and environmental impact analysis indicates that gas-pressurized torrefaction possesses lower cost and environmental pollution potential for biochar production.