Thermal Conversion Of Biomass Research Articles

Numerical simulation of the combustion process of a pellet-drop-feed boiler

This paper presents a transient model for the simulation of biomass combustion in a fixed bed boiler fed through particle drop. The method combines classical CFD techniques, which are used to simulate the gas phase, with a set of Eulerian variables defined to model the solid phase and Lagrangian trajectories that model the particle drop. Several submodels are implemented to simulate the numerous processes that occur during the combustion of the solid phase. These submodels include the thermal conversion of biomass, heat and mass transfer, particle shrinkage and bed compaction as well as the interaction of the DPM (Discrete Phase Model) trajectories and the bed variables. The predictions are contrasted with various experimental tests, which provide reasonably good results and demonstrate the overall good behavior of the models. The simulation facilitates an understanding of the heat transfer inside the boiler and the instability of the emission measurements.

Thermogravimetric and Kinetic Analysis of Melon (Citrullus colocynthis L.) Seed Husk Using the Distributed Activation Energy Model

Abstract This study seeks to characterize the thermochemical fuel properties of melon seed husk (MSH) as a potential biomass feedstock for clean energy and power generation. It examined the ultimate analysis, proximate analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and thermal decomposition of MSH. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis was examined at 5, 10, 20 °C/min from 30-800 °C under nitrogen atmosphere. Subsequently, the Distributed Activation Energy Model (DAEM) was applied to determine the activation energy, E, and frequency factor, A. The results revealed that thermal decomposition of MSH occurs in three (3) stages; drying (30-150 °C), devolatization (150-400 °C) and char degradation (400-800 °C). Kinetic analysis revealed that the E values fluctuated from 145.44-300 kJ/mol (Average E = 193 kJ/mol) while A ranged from 2.64 × 1010 to 9.18 × 1020 min-1 (Average E = 9.18 × 1019 min-1) highlighting the complexity of MSH pyrolysis. The fuel characterization and kinetics of MSH showed it is an environmentally friendly solid biofuel for future thermal biomass conversion.

Relationships between Biomass Composition and Liquid Products Formed via Pyrolysis

Thermal conversion of biomass is a rapid, low-cost way to produce a dense liquid product, known as bio-oil, that can be refined to transportation fuels. However, utilization of bio-oil is challenging due to its chemical complexity, acidity, and instability—all results of the intricate nature of biomass. A clear understanding of how biomass properties impact yield and composition of thermal products will provide guidance to optimize both biomass and conditions for thermal conversion. To aid elucidation of these associations, we first describe biomass polymers, including phenolics, polysaccharides, acetyl groups, and inorganic ions, and the chemical interactions among them. We then discuss evidence for three roles (i.e., models) for biomass components in formation of liquid pyrolysis products: (1) as direct sources, (2) as catalysts, and (3) as indirect factors whereby chemical interactions among components and/or cell wall structural features impact thermal conversion products. We highlight associations that might be utilized to optimize biomass content prior to pyrolysis, though a more detailed characterization is required to understand indirect effects. In combination with high-throughput biomass characterization techniques this knowledge will enable identification of biomass particularly suited for biofuel production and can also guide genetic engineering of bioenergy crops to improve biomass features.

Simulation of a process for the two-stage thermal conversion of biomass into the synthesis gas

The paper presents results of simulation of a process for the two-stage thermal conversion of wood biomass into the synthesis gas. The first stage of process is pyrolysis of raw materials, the second stage is cracking of volatile pyrolysis products which blown through the char at a temperature of about 1000° C. Char is a porous biomass residue with carbon content about 90%. The simulation based on the results of experimental investigations of a pilot plant with capacity up to 50 kg of raw material per hour. The main result of simulation is estimation of an energy conversion efficiency of wood biomass into synthesis gas for three different operation modes. The first mode is conversion of biomass into fuel gas and char, and the char is not further used. The second mode is the same, but char used as fuel for producing heat for own demand of the process. The third mode includes gasification of char by means of water steam, aimed to obtaining an additional yield of synthesis gas. The simulation shown, that total efficiency of power plant was 17.1% in the first mode, 22.4% in the second mode and 22.6% in the third mode.

Experimental investigation of the primary combustion zone during staged combustion of wood-chips in a commercial small-scale boiler

In this work the primary combustion zone of a modified, commercial, small-scale boiler was investigated during staged combustion of wood-chips. Experimental research on thermal conversion of biomass in fixed beds is necessary to supply reliable data for gas phase combustion model validation and optimization. Furthermore, scruting of pollutant emission formation and combustion efficiency enhancement can be conducted. Two different fuel moistures were used while the primary combustion zone of a small-scale boiler was investigated as a function of the primary air ratio. The combustible products leaving the fuel layer were analyzed under continuous operation by an extractive method. This approach is new in the field of small-scale biomass combustion research and considers the strong coupling between the products leaving the fuel bed and the heat fluxes emitted by the flame of the secondary combustion zone. Additionally, fine particulate matter emissions were quantified to study the effect of varying primary air ratio and different fuel moisture on particulate formation. Results show that the primary air ratio and the fuel moisture have a significant influence on the primary combustion products composition, on the fuel bed behavior and on fine particulate matter emissions. At low primary air ratios, tars constitute a significant part of the heating value of primary combustion products. The smallest amount of particulate emissions was found at low primary air ratio and low fuel moisture. Experimental data was validated with an elemental balance, which showed perfect accordance.

Preliminary studies on the treatment of wastewater from biomass gasification

This paper presents completed research on the purification of undiluted raw water and organic condensates obtained in biomass thermal conversion processes such as gasification, which are rarely addressed in published studies. However, similar studies involving the characterization and purification of aqueous solutions obtained from process gas treatment after the gasification of biomass are available. Condensation of water–organic condensate from process gas helps to reduce the amount of water required by the purification process and the cost of the process technology and water consumption. Oil scrubbers can be used in this case instead of water scrubbers. In this case, the obtained condensate must be subjected to purification processes. This paper presents the results of our research, possible methods of treatment (chemical and biological methods), and the approximate cost of the reagents required for the purification of condensate for specific assumed degrees of purification.The best results from the chemical purification using the Fenton method were obtained with the ratio VH2O2/Vcond.=6.0 and the ratio VH2O2Fe=0.0375. To prevent precipitation of ferric hydroxide, this value can be reduced 20-fold, which reduces the total degree of purification to 90%. The cost of almost complete cleaning of tested condensates was calculated to be approximately 2000USDper/m3. This cost can be reduced by a factor of approximately four assuming 100% cleaning for 2-furaldehyde, furfuryl alcohol and phenol; acetaldehyde, propane-2-one (acetone), methanol and acetic acid are oxidized by 50%.

Verification of Origin of the Material Obtained from Thermal Biomass Conversion - New Methods

Verification of Origin of the Material Obtained from Thermal Biomass Conversion - New Methods

BIOMASS ENERGY POTENTIAL – GREEN ENERGY FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF WARMIA AND MAZURY IN OLSZTYN

The combined production of electrical and heat energy is one of the preferred, by national policy, activities associated with energy production from renewable sources. The simultaneous generation of heat and electrical or mechanical energy during the same technological process is called cogeneration or combined heat and power, CHP. The presented methodological approach includes an analysis of the data recorded in the research stations and agricultural production stations owned and managed by the University of Warmia and Mazury (UWM) in Olsztyn, performed in order to determine the energy potential of biomass and other renewable energy sources (RES). Depending on the substrates available for UWM in Olsztyn, it is proposed to take a varied approach towards the use of RES by means of biotechnological and thermal biomass conversion. The first method is based on the production of biogas from biomass with the subsequent use of the generated biogas in the process of cogeneration. In the second method, heat energy generated by gasification in a syngas generator will be used for transformation with a Stirling’s engine into mechanical energy and finally into electrical (30%) and heat (60%) energy. The concept of a “Green University” is the result of the performed analyses.

Biomass Conversion into Solid Composite Fuel for Bed-Combustion

The purpose of this research is the conversion of different types of biomass into solid composite fuel. The subject of research is the heat conversion of biomass into solid composite fuel. The research object is the biomass of the Tomsk region (Russia): peat, waste wood, lake sapropel. Physical experiment of biomass conversion is used as method of research. The new experimental unit for thermal conversion of biomass into carbon residue, fuel gas and pyrolysis condensate is described. As a result of research such parameters are obtained: thermotechnical biomass characteristics, material balances and product characteristics of the heat-technology conversion. Different methods of obtaining solid composite fuel from the products of thermal technologies are considered. As a result, it is established: heat-technology provides efficient conversion of the wood chips and peat; conversion of the lake sapropel is inefficient since the solid composite fuel has the high ash content and net calorific value.

Phosphorus-assisted biomass thermal conversion: reducing carbon loss and improving biochar stability.

There is often over 50% carbon loss during the thermal conversion of biomass into biochar, leading to it controversy for the biochar formation as a carbon sequestration strategy. Sometimes the biochar also seems not to be stable enough due to physical, chemical, and biological reactions in soils. In this study, three phosphorus-bearing materials, H3PO4, phosphate rock tailing (PRT), and triple superphosphate (TSP), were used as additives to wheat straw with a ratio of 1: 0.4–0.8 for biochar production at 500°C, aiming to alleviate carbon loss during pyrolysis and to increase biochar-C stabilization. All these additives remarkably increased the biochar yield from 31.7% (unmodified biochar) to 46.9%–56.9% (modified biochars). Carbon loss during pyrolysis was reduced from 51.7% to 35.5%–47.7%. Thermogravimetric analysis curves showed that the additives had no effect on thermal stability of biochar but did enhance its oxidative stability. Microbial mineralization was obviously reduced in the modified biochar, especially in the TSP-BC, in which the total CO2 emission during 60-d incubation was reduced by 67.8%, compared to the unmodified biochar. Enhancement of carbon retention and biochar stability was probably due to the formation of meta-phosphate or C-O-PO3, which could either form a physical layer to hinder the contact of C with O2 and bacteria, or occupy the active sites of the C band. Our results indicate that pre-treating biomass with phosphors-bearing materials is effective for reducing carbon loss during pyrolysis and for increasing biochar stabilization, which provides a novel method by which biochar can be designed to improve the carbon sequestration capacity.

Kinetic modeling of α-hydrogen abstractions from unsaturated and saturated oxygenate compounds by hydrogen atoms.

Hydrogen-abstraction reactions play a significant role in thermal biomass conversion processes, as well as regular gasification, pyrolysis, or combustion. In this work, a group additivity model is constructed that allows prediction of reaction rates and Arrhenius parameters of hydrogen abstractions by hydrogen atoms from alcohols, ethers, esters, peroxides, ketones, aldehydes, acids, and diketones in a broad temperature range (300-2000 K). A training set of 60 reactions was developed with rate coefficients and Arrhenius parameters calculated by the CBS-QB3 method in the high-pressure limit with tunneling corrections using Eckart tunneling coefficients. From this set of reactions, 15 group additive values were derived for the forward and the reverse reaction, 4 referring to primary and 11 to secondary contributions. The accuracy of the model is validated upon an ab initio and an experimental validation set of 19 and 21 reaction rates, respectively, showing that reaction rates can be predicted with a mean factor of deviation of 2 for the ab initio and 3 for the experimental values. Hence, this work illustrates that the developed group additive model can be reliably applied for the accurate prediction of kinetics of α-hydrogen abstractions by hydrogen atoms from a broad range of oxygenates.

Implementation of concepts derived from model compound studies in the separation and conversion of bio-oil to fuel

Thermal conversion of biomass via pyrolysis, torrefaction, or liquefaction is an attractive process with significant economic potential. The main challenge of this technology is the upgrading of the intermediate liquid product (bio-oil) due to its complex composition. The components of bio-oil can be divided into light aqueous soluble oxygenates, furanics, phenolics, sugars and anhydrosugars, and larger oligomers. Since any single upgrading approach can only target the conversion of one or two families of compounds a combination of separation and conversion is necessary.A number of fundamental studies with model compounds have been done in the last few years and important concepts about reaction mechanisms and nature of active catalysts have been developed. Unfortunately, the complexity of bio-oil has hampered the impact of these fundamental studies on the practical applications. It is an important challenge to predict how each compound or family of compounds will behave over a catalyst in the presence of other families, when the entire mixture is fed. It is important to take into account that catalysts may quickly deactivate if the entire bio-oil is present, even when they were effective in the presence of a more pure stream. This knowledge should help guide the separation to evaluate the most effective catalytic upgrading strategies. The present review highlights recent advancements made with the conversion of model compounds present in bio-oil, as well as strategies to combine this knowledge with separation advancements in an effort to increase the amount of carbon in the biomass that can be economically converted to fuels and chemicals.

Use of plastic waste as a fuel in the co-pyrolysis of biomass. Part I: The effect of the addition of plastic waste on the process and products

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of using polypropylene, a common polymer used in the polymer industry, in the co-pyrolysis of two types of biomass. This study is crucial because different types of biomass exhibit different behaviours, which are mainly influenced by the chemical composition of the material (amount of cellulose, lignocellulose and hemicellulose). In our previous study, polymer addition to biomass led to synergistic effects, as determined by variations in the amounts of products obtained from the co-pyrolysis of biomass and polypropene relative to those obtained from the pyrolysis of pure biomass or polypropylene. In this work, the effects of using polymer material as an additional eco-fuel on the thermal conversion process are discussed. The addition of polypropylene reduces the amount of heat energy needed in the thermal conversion of biomass.

An applied methodology for assessment of the sustainability of biomass district heating systems

In order to maximise the share of biomass in the energy supplying system, the designers should adopt the appropriate changes to the traditional systems and become more familiar with the design details of the biomass heating systems. The aim of this study is to present the development of methodology and its associated implementation in software that is useful for the design of biomass thermal conversion systems linked with district heating (DH) systems, taking into consideration the types of building structures and urban settlement layout around the plant. The methodology is based on a completely parametric logic, providing an impact assessment of variations in one or more technical and/or economic parameters and thus, facilitating a quick conclusion on the viability of this particular energy system. The essential energy parameters are presented and discussed for the design of biomass power and heat production system which are in connection with DH network, as well as for its environmental and economic evaluation (i.e. selectivity and viability of the relevant investment). Emphasis has been placed upon the technical parameters of biomass logistics, energy system's design, the economic details of the selected technology (integrated cogeneration combined cycle or direct combustion boiler), the DH network and peripheral equipment (thermal substations) and the greenhouse gas emissions. The purpose of this implementation is the assessment of the pertinent investment financial viability taking into account the available biomass feedstock, the economical and market conditions, and the capital/operating costs. As long as biomass resources (forest wood and cultivation products) are available and close to the settlement, disposal and transportation costs of biomass, remain low assuring the sustainability of such energy systems.

A Review of Thermal Co-Conversion of Coal and Biomass/Waste

Biomass is relatively cleaner than coal and is the only renewable carbon resource that can be directly converted into fuel. Biomass can significantly contribute to the world’s energy needs if harnessed sustainably. However, there are also problems associated with the thermal conversion of biomass. This paper investigates and discusses issues associated with the thermal conversion of coal and biomass as a blend. Most notable topics reviewed are slagging and fouling caused by the relatively reactive alkali and alkaline earth compounds (K2O, Na2O and CaO) found in biomass ash. The alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEM) present and dispersed in biomass fuels induce catalytic activity during co-conversion with coal. The catalytic activity is most noticeable when blended with high rank coals. The synergy during co-conversion is still controversial although it has been theorized that biomass acts like a hydrogen donor in liquefaction. Published literature also shows that coal and biomass exhibit different mechanisms, depending on the operating conditions, for the formation of nitrogen (N) and sulfur species. Utilization aspects of fly ash from blending coal and biomass are discussed. Recommendations are made on pretreatment options to increase the energy density of biomass fuels through pelletization, torrefaction and flash pyrolysis to reduce transportation costs.

Review of fly ash inertisation treatments and recycling

Fly ash (FA) is a by-product of power, and incineration plants operated either on coal and biomass, or on municipal solid waste. FA can be divided into coal fly ash, obtained from power plant burning coal, flue gas desulphurisation FA, that is, the by-product generated by the air pollution control equipment in coal-fired power plants to reduce the release of SO2, biomass FA produced in the plants for thermal conversion of biomass and municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) FA, that is, the finest residue obtained from the scrubber system in a MSWI plant. Because of the large amount produced in the world, fly ash is now considered the world’s fifth largest material resource. The composition of FA is very variable, depending on its origins; then, also pollutants can be very different. In this frame, it is fundamental to exploit the chemical or physical potentials of FA constituents, thus rendering them second-life functionality. This review paper is addressed to FA typology, composition, treatment, recycling, functional reuse and metal and organic pollutants abatement. Because of the general growing of environmental awareness and increasing energy and material demand, it is expected that increasing recycling rates will reduce the pressure on demand for primary raw materials, help to reuse valuable materials which would otherwise be wasted and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from extraction and processing.

High quality fuel gas from biomass pyrolysis with calcium oxide

The removal of CO2 and tar in fuel gas produced by biomass thermal conversion has aroused more attention due to their adverse effects on the subsequent fuel gas application. High quality fuel gas production from sawdust pyrolysis with CaO was studied in this paper. The results of pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) experiments indicate that the mass ratio of CaO to sawdust (Ca/S) remarkably affects the behavior of sawdust pyrolysis. On the basis of Py-GC/MS results, one system of a moving bed pyrolyzer coupled with a fluid bed combustor has been developed to produce high quality fuel gas. The lower heating value (LHV) of the fuel gas was above 16MJ/Nm(3) and the content of tar was under 50mg/Nm(3), which is suitable for gas turbine application to generate electricity and heat. Therefore, this technology may be a promising route to achieve high quality fuel gas for biomass utilization.

Inorganic Species Behaviour in Thermochemical Processes for Energy Biomass Valorisation

Inorganic species from biomass (wood or agricultural waste) exhibit large variations in compositions and amounts, depending on the origin of the biomass (nature, growing conditions and location). Different thermal conversion processes (combustion, pyrolysis, gasification or other) and various technologies (grate furnace, fixed or fluidized bed, entrained flow reactor) using biomass, provide a wide variety of operating conditions with differences in atmosphere, pressure and temperature. During any thermal process and mainly depending on initial composition of the biomass, process temperature and atmosphere, some of the inorganic species react and may form liquid or gas compounds, alone or combined with other species: they may either be trapped at different locations during the process or released in the gas. The potential interactions of inorganic species with reactor walls, bed materials (in fluidized bed reactors), transfer lines and downstream process units are not well understood for most species. Both technical and economic issues about inorganic species behaviour are probably growing to become important in a near future: pressure on timber markets is growing and prices have already been rising : one solution is to replace this noble and "clean" resource (wood) by ash richer feedstock, like straw, dedicated energetic cultures, agricultural or even municipal solid waste. Biogas production from waste deposits is a good example to show how waste can be valorised. Going further (thermochemical conversion) with such ash rich feedstock will increase the potential of their re-use but also the technical difficulties in a dramatic extent; soil enrichment for the agriculture currently largely depends on the re-use of biomass, completed with artificial fertilisers. The question how to re-use the inorganic material in biomass after thermo-chemical conversion is an important subject. The objective of this paper is to present a global review of the technological difficulties (corrosion, fouling, etc.): a detailed summary of the specific behaviour of the inorganic compounds in biomass thermal conversion facilities will be given, going from the description of inorganic species included in biomass up to the prevention and the solution, as far as possible. The following topics will therefore be developed: inventory of inorganic species in different biomasses; general review of the inorganic speciation during thermal conversion processes; technological barriers to overcome for economic and technological process improvements; specific aspects related to inorganic species behaviour investigated at CEA: inorganic species release and condensation; aerosol behaviour and deposits; hot particles filtration; slag formation and interactions with reactor wall.

Liquefaction of sawdust in 1-octanol using acidic ionic liquids as catalyst

Acidic ionic liquids (AILs) as a novel catalyst in biomass liquefaction can accord with the demand of green chemistry and enhance the development of biomass thermal chemical conversion. A series of AILs containing HSO4- were synthesized by the imidazolium cation functionalization and applied to the Chinese fir sawdust liquefaction in 1-octanol in this paper. The experimental results showed that the liquefaction rate was gradually improved with the AILs acidity increasing, and reached 71.5% when 1-(4-sulfobutyl)-3-methylmidazolium hydrosulfate was used as catalyst with the 6:1 mass ratio of 1-octanol to sawdust at 423K after 60 min. Lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose were orderly desquamated, and then depolymerized and liquefied with the catalyst acidity increasing in the sawdust liquefaction process. The light oil was mainly composed of the octyl ether and the octyl ester compounds, suggesting that the solvent may play an important role in producing the high octane rating biofuel.

A Numerical Approach to Predict Sulphur Dioxide Emissions During Switchgrass Combustion

Abstract The demand for a net reduction of carbon dioxide and restrictions on energy efficiency make thermal conversion of biomass a very attractive alternative for energy production. However, sulphur dioxide emissions are of major environmental concern and may lead to an increased corrosion rate of boilers in the absence of sulfatation reactions. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the kinetics of formation of sulphur dioxide during switchgrass combustion. Experimental data that records the combustion process and the emission formation versus time, carried out by the National Renewable Energy Institute in Colorado (US), was used to evaluate the kinetic data. The combustion of switchgrass is described sufficiently accurate by the Discrete Particle Method (DPM). It predicts all major processes such as heating-up, pyrolysis, combustion of switchgrass by solving the differential conservation equations for mass and energy. The formation reactions of sulphur dioxide are approximated by an Arrhenius-like expression including a pre-exponential factor and an activation energy. Thus, the results predicted by the Discrete Particle Method were compared to measurements and the kinetic parameters were subsequently corrected by the least square method until the deviation between measurements and predictions was minimised. The determined kinetic data yielded good agreement between experimental data and predictions.