Impact of Biochar Addition in Microwave Torrefaction of Camelina Straw and Switchgrass for Biofuel Production
The possibility of applying biochar in mild torrefaction treatment to improve the thermochemical characteristics of ground biomass was the focus of the study. Camelina straw and switchgrass were torrefied in a reactor using microwave irradiation at torrefaction temperatures of 250 °C and 300 °C with...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Fuels |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3994/3/4/36 |
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| author | Obiora S. Agu Lope G. Tabil Edmund Mupondwa Bagher Emadi Tim Dumonceaux |
| author_facet | Obiora S. Agu Lope G. Tabil Edmund Mupondwa Bagher Emadi Tim Dumonceaux |
| author_sort | Obiora S. Agu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The possibility of applying biochar in mild torrefaction treatment to improve the thermochemical characteristics of ground biomass was the focus of the study. Camelina straw and switchgrass were torrefied in a reactor using microwave irradiation at torrefaction temperatures of 250 °C and 300 °C with residence times 10, 15 and 20 min, under nitrogen-activated inert conditions. Both biochar addition of more than 10% and residence time significantly affected the product yields, as MW torrefaction temperatures shifted from 250 °C to 300 °C. Overall, the results indicated a slight increase in ash content, mass loss percentage intensification, heating values, and fixed carbon, while moisture content and volatile matter decreased in camelina straw and switchgrass, with or without biochar. Biochar addition with a long residence time (20 min) at 250 °C reduced energy requirement during the microwave torrefaction process. The combustion index values showed that torrefied camelina straw or switchgrass with biochar addition suits co-combustion with coal in a coal-fired plant and is a potential biomaterial for biofuel pellets. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:34:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-be991cc6053f497993778fbf6a7f1536 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-3994 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:34:37Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fuels |
| spelling | doaj.art-be991cc6053f497993778fbf6a7f15362023-11-24T14:58:07ZengMDPI AGFuels2673-39942022-10-013458860610.3390/fuels3040036Impact of Biochar Addition in Microwave Torrefaction of Camelina Straw and Switchgrass for Biofuel ProductionObiora S. Agu0Lope G. Tabil1Edmund Mupondwa2Bagher Emadi3Tim Dumonceaux4Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, CanadaDepartment of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, CanadaAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research and Development Centre, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X2, CanadaDepartment of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, CanadaAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research and Development Centre, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X2, CanadaThe possibility of applying biochar in mild torrefaction treatment to improve the thermochemical characteristics of ground biomass was the focus of the study. Camelina straw and switchgrass were torrefied in a reactor using microwave irradiation at torrefaction temperatures of 250 °C and 300 °C with residence times 10, 15 and 20 min, under nitrogen-activated inert conditions. Both biochar addition of more than 10% and residence time significantly affected the product yields, as MW torrefaction temperatures shifted from 250 °C to 300 °C. Overall, the results indicated a slight increase in ash content, mass loss percentage intensification, heating values, and fixed carbon, while moisture content and volatile matter decreased in camelina straw and switchgrass, with or without biochar. Biochar addition with a long residence time (20 min) at 250 °C reduced energy requirement during the microwave torrefaction process. The combustion index values showed that torrefied camelina straw or switchgrass with biochar addition suits co-combustion with coal in a coal-fired plant and is a potential biomaterial for biofuel pellets.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3994/3/4/36biomassbiocharmicrowavetorrefaction temperaturetorrefaction timeenergy consumption |
| spellingShingle | Obiora S. Agu Lope G. Tabil Edmund Mupondwa Bagher Emadi Tim Dumonceaux Impact of Biochar Addition in Microwave Torrefaction of Camelina Straw and Switchgrass for Biofuel Production Fuels biomass biochar microwave torrefaction temperature torrefaction time energy consumption |
| title | Impact of Biochar Addition in Microwave Torrefaction of Camelina Straw and Switchgrass for Biofuel Production |
| title_full | Impact of Biochar Addition in Microwave Torrefaction of Camelina Straw and Switchgrass for Biofuel Production |
| title_fullStr | Impact of Biochar Addition in Microwave Torrefaction of Camelina Straw and Switchgrass for Biofuel Production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of Biochar Addition in Microwave Torrefaction of Camelina Straw and Switchgrass for Biofuel Production |
| title_short | Impact of Biochar Addition in Microwave Torrefaction of Camelina Straw and Switchgrass for Biofuel Production |
| title_sort | impact of biochar addition in microwave torrefaction of camelina straw and switchgrass for biofuel production |
| topic | biomass biochar microwave torrefaction temperature torrefaction time energy consumption |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3994/3/4/36 |
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