A review of the combined torrefaction and densification technology as a source of renewable energy
Densification techniques allow biomass to be used in the energy mix with coal or as a direct replacement for coal as it is a renewable resource. Typically, biomass is bulky, so thermochemical methods, like torrefaction, reduce volatiles and moisture, leaving a higher composition of fixed carbon. Aft...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Alexandria Engineering Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110016823008797 |
| _version_ | 1827773838988935168 |
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| author | Thandiwe Sithole Godwell Pahla Tebogo Mashifana Tirivaviri Mamvura Elena-Niculina Dragoi Anbalagan Saravanan Hasan Sadeghifar |
| author_facet | Thandiwe Sithole Godwell Pahla Tebogo Mashifana Tirivaviri Mamvura Elena-Niculina Dragoi Anbalagan Saravanan Hasan Sadeghifar |
| author_sort | Thandiwe Sithole |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Densification techniques allow biomass to be used in the energy mix with coal or as a direct replacement for coal as it is a renewable resource. Typically, biomass is bulky, so thermochemical methods, like torrefaction, reduce volatiles and moisture, leaving a higher composition of fixed carbon. After the torrefaction process, the torrefied biomass poses problems during handling, transportation, and storage because it consists of small (<100 μm) disintegrated particles. Densification minimizes these problems through thermal compaction which produces integrated and larger (4 mm – 200 mm diameter) solid particles. This process can be done naturally (without any additives) or by adding binders which improve the torrefied biomass’s physical, chemical, mechanical, and heating properties. This in turn reduces any costs associated with handling/transportation and storage of the biomass before it is used for energy generation. Densification increases the biomass’s energy content per unit volume thereby enabling coal substitution. Recent reviews on densification have mainly focused on the binding of coal fines, raw biomass, and some torrefied biomass. Reviews on the binding theories are also available. This current review focuses solely on the aspect of torrefied biomass densification and the factors associated with the process. Insights and recommendations for the possible application of an integrated biomass torrefaction and densification process were provided herein. In addition, the gaps in literature were identified to enable future research on the application of the process to realize innovative renewable energy production in industry. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T13:29:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6d982f7f02a0474c8d05b788647576e4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1110-0168 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T13:29:28Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Alexandria Engineering Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-6d982f7f02a0474c8d05b788647576e42023-11-03T04:15:00ZengElsevierAlexandria Engineering Journal1110-01682023-11-0182330341A review of the combined torrefaction and densification technology as a source of renewable energyThandiwe Sithole0Godwell Pahla1Tebogo Mashifana2Tirivaviri Mamvura3Elena-Niculina Dragoi4Anbalagan Saravanan5Hasan Sadeghifar6Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, P O Box 17011, Doornfontein 2088, South Africa; Corresponding authors.Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, P O Box 17011, Doornfontein 2088, South AfricaDepartment of Chemical Engineering, School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, P O Box 17011, Doornfontein 2088, South AfricaDepartment of Chemical Engineering, School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, P O Box 17011, Doornfontein 2088, South Africa; Department of Chemical, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Plot 10071, Boseja Ward, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana“Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, Iasi, Bld Mangeron No 73, 700050, Romania; Corresponding authors.Department of Sustainable Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai 602105, IndiaHollingsworth & Vose, R&D Center, 219 Townsend Road, Groton, MA 01450, USADensification techniques allow biomass to be used in the energy mix with coal or as a direct replacement for coal as it is a renewable resource. Typically, biomass is bulky, so thermochemical methods, like torrefaction, reduce volatiles and moisture, leaving a higher composition of fixed carbon. After the torrefaction process, the torrefied biomass poses problems during handling, transportation, and storage because it consists of small (<100 μm) disintegrated particles. Densification minimizes these problems through thermal compaction which produces integrated and larger (4 mm – 200 mm diameter) solid particles. This process can be done naturally (without any additives) or by adding binders which improve the torrefied biomass’s physical, chemical, mechanical, and heating properties. This in turn reduces any costs associated with handling/transportation and storage of the biomass before it is used for energy generation. Densification increases the biomass’s energy content per unit volume thereby enabling coal substitution. Recent reviews on densification have mainly focused on the binding of coal fines, raw biomass, and some torrefied biomass. Reviews on the binding theories are also available. This current review focuses solely on the aspect of torrefied biomass densification and the factors associated with the process. Insights and recommendations for the possible application of an integrated biomass torrefaction and densification process were provided herein. In addition, the gaps in literature were identified to enable future research on the application of the process to realize innovative renewable energy production in industry.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110016823008797BinderTorrefied BiomassDensificationBriquettePellet |
| spellingShingle | Thandiwe Sithole Godwell Pahla Tebogo Mashifana Tirivaviri Mamvura Elena-Niculina Dragoi Anbalagan Saravanan Hasan Sadeghifar A review of the combined torrefaction and densification technology as a source of renewable energy Alexandria Engineering Journal Binder Torrefied Biomass Densification Briquette Pellet |
| title | A review of the combined torrefaction and densification technology as a source of renewable energy |
| title_full | A review of the combined torrefaction and densification technology as a source of renewable energy |
| title_fullStr | A review of the combined torrefaction and densification technology as a source of renewable energy |
| title_full_unstemmed | A review of the combined torrefaction and densification technology as a source of renewable energy |
| title_short | A review of the combined torrefaction and densification technology as a source of renewable energy |
| title_sort | review of the combined torrefaction and densification technology as a source of renewable energy |
| topic | Binder Torrefied Biomass Densification Briquette Pellet |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110016823008797 |
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