화학공학소재연구정보센터
Energy & Fuels, Vol.34, No.9, 11091-11102, 2020
Correlations to Predict Properties of Torrefied Biomass Using Mass Loss Fraction and Experimental Validation
The torrefaction process is an emerging thermal pretreatment method of biomass conversion, which enhances the fuel qualities of biomass. This paper presents different correlations to characterize the torrefied biomass at different operating conditions using a single reference parameter: mass loss (dry and ash-free basis) fraction. Different properties such as volatile matter (VM), fixed carbon (FC), carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) contents, and the higher heating value (HHV) of the torrefied biomass produced at various operating conditions from the published studies were adopted to devise generalized correlations using a statistical approach. The developed correlations were then validated using published and experimental data points, and the results confirmed that the correlations could be used to predict properties of torrefied biomass with an error level of +/- 10%. New correlations for the energy yield (EY) and energy density enhancement factor (EDEF) using the torrefaction severity index (TSI) also have higher accuracy compared to the existing correlations. Therefore, developed new generalized correlations could help researchers to validate their experimental results, designers to select appropriate operating conditions of torrefaction and to perform a feasibility study, and investors in their decision-making process.