Torrefaction and Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) of Dead Leaves

Abstract

ABSTRACT Torrefaction and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) are productive methods to reclaim energy from lignocellulosicbiomass. The hydrophobic, homogenized, energy dense and carbon rich solid fuel can be obtain from torrefaction andhydrothermal carbonization. Dead leaves were carbonized in a stainless steel reactor of volume 200 ml with torrefaction(250-270 o C) for 120 minutes and hydrothermal carbonization (200-250 o C) for 30 minutes, with mass yield solid fuelranging from 57-70% and energy content from 16.81 MJ/kg to 22.01 MJ/kg compare to the biomass. The char producedfrom torrefaction process possess high energy content than hydrothermal carbonization. The highest energy yield of89.96% was obtained by torrefaction at 250 o C. The energy densification ratio fluctuated in between 1.15 to 1.30. On thebasis of pore size distribution of the chars, the definition of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry(IUPAC) was used as a classification standard. The pore diameter was ranging within 11.09-19 nm which play importantrole in water holding capacity in soil. Larger pores can hold water and provide passage for small pores. Therefore, it canbe concluded that high pore size char can be obtained my HTC process and high energy content char of 22.01 MJ/Kg with34.04% increase in energy can be obtain by torrefaction process.Keywords : Torrefaction, Hydrothermal carbonization, Char, Energy