Torrefied Biomass as an Alternative in Coal-Fueled Power Plants: A Case Study on Grindability of Agroforestry Waste Forms
The use of biomass as a renewable energy source is currently a reality, mainly due to the role it can play in replacing fossil energy sources. Within this possibility, coal substitution in the production of electric energy presents itself as a strong alternative with high potential, mostly due to th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Clean Technologies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8797/2/3/18 |
| _version_ | 1797561900908675072 |
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| author | Leonel J. R. Nunes |
| author_facet | Leonel J. R. Nunes |
| author_sort | Leonel J. R. Nunes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The use of biomass as a renewable energy source is currently a reality, mainly due to the role it can play in replacing fossil energy sources. Within this possibility, coal substitution in the production of electric energy presents itself as a strong alternative with high potential, mostly due to the possibility of contributing to the decarbonization of energy production while, at the same time, contributing to the circularization of energy generation processes. This can be achieved through the use of biomass waste forms, which have undergone a process of improving their properties, such as torrefaction. However, for this to be viable, it is necessary that the biomass has a set of characteristics similar to those of coal, such that its use may occur in previously installed systems. In particular, with respect to grindability, which is associated with one of the core equipment technologies of coal-fired power plants—the coal mill. The objective of the present study is to determine the potential of certain residues with agroforestry origins as a replacement for coal in power generation by using empirical methods. Selected materials—namely, almond shells, kiwifruit pruning, vine pruning, olive pomace, pine woodchips, and eucalyptus woodchips—are characterized in this regard. The materials were characterized in the laboratory and submitted to a torrefaction process at 300 °C. Then, the Statistical Grindability Index and the Hardgrove Grindability Index were determined, using empirical methods derived from coal analysis. The results obtained indicate the good potential of the studied biomasses for use in large-scale torrefaction processes and as replacements for coal in the generation of electrical energy. However, further tests are still needed, particularly relating to the definition of the ideal parameters of the torrefaction process, in order to optimize the grindability of the materials. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:21:09Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-8797 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:21:09Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Clean Technologies |
| spelling | doaj.art-c1accc4b18664a04a566d55c8bae1bfb2023-11-20T07:19:49ZengMDPI AGClean Technologies2571-87972020-07-012327028910.3390/cleantechnol2030018Torrefied Biomass as an Alternative in Coal-Fueled Power Plants: A Case Study on Grindability of Agroforestry Waste FormsLeonel J. R. Nunes0PROMETHEUS—Unidade de Investigação em Materiais, Energia e Ambiente para a Sustentabilidade, Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua da Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Alvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, PortugalThe use of biomass as a renewable energy source is currently a reality, mainly due to the role it can play in replacing fossil energy sources. Within this possibility, coal substitution in the production of electric energy presents itself as a strong alternative with high potential, mostly due to the possibility of contributing to the decarbonization of energy production while, at the same time, contributing to the circularization of energy generation processes. This can be achieved through the use of biomass waste forms, which have undergone a process of improving their properties, such as torrefaction. However, for this to be viable, it is necessary that the biomass has a set of characteristics similar to those of coal, such that its use may occur in previously installed systems. In particular, with respect to grindability, which is associated with one of the core equipment technologies of coal-fired power plants—the coal mill. The objective of the present study is to determine the potential of certain residues with agroforestry origins as a replacement for coal in power generation by using empirical methods. Selected materials—namely, almond shells, kiwifruit pruning, vine pruning, olive pomace, pine woodchips, and eucalyptus woodchips—are characterized in this regard. The materials were characterized in the laboratory and submitted to a torrefaction process at 300 °C. Then, the Statistical Grindability Index and the Hardgrove Grindability Index were determined, using empirical methods derived from coal analysis. The results obtained indicate the good potential of the studied biomasses for use in large-scale torrefaction processes and as replacements for coal in the generation of electrical energy. However, further tests are still needed, particularly relating to the definition of the ideal parameters of the torrefaction process, in order to optimize the grindability of the materials.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8797/2/3/18biomass torrefactionbiomass grindingenergy recoverycircular economybiomass waste |
| spellingShingle | Leonel J. R. Nunes Torrefied Biomass as an Alternative in Coal-Fueled Power Plants: A Case Study on Grindability of Agroforestry Waste Forms Clean Technologies biomass torrefaction biomass grinding energy recovery circular economy biomass waste |
| title | Torrefied Biomass as an Alternative in Coal-Fueled Power Plants: A Case Study on Grindability of Agroforestry Waste Forms |
| title_full | Torrefied Biomass as an Alternative in Coal-Fueled Power Plants: A Case Study on Grindability of Agroforestry Waste Forms |
| title_fullStr | Torrefied Biomass as an Alternative in Coal-Fueled Power Plants: A Case Study on Grindability of Agroforestry Waste Forms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Torrefied Biomass as an Alternative in Coal-Fueled Power Plants: A Case Study on Grindability of Agroforestry Waste Forms |
| title_short | Torrefied Biomass as an Alternative in Coal-Fueled Power Plants: A Case Study on Grindability of Agroforestry Waste Forms |
| title_sort | torrefied biomass as an alternative in coal fueled power plants a case study on grindability of agroforestry waste forms |
| topic | biomass torrefaction biomass grinding energy recovery circular economy biomass waste |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8797/2/3/18 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT leoneljrnunes torrefiedbiomassasanalternativeincoalfueledpowerplantsacasestudyongrindabilityofagroforestrywasteforms |