article · Heliyon
Torrefaction is a thermal treatment process used to upgrade biomass into higher quality fuel. Research examined how varying torrefaction temperatures between 220 and 320 degrees Celsius over a 60-minute duration affected two tropical deciduous woods, Teak and Melina. Key parameters measured included calorific value, fuel ratio, ignitability index, ash composition, and ash fusion temperatures. The findings showed that higher torrefaction temperatures progressively increased calorific values, fuel ratios, and ignitability indices. The ignitability index ranged from 40 to 63, surpassing the benchmark of 35 recommended for thermal power plant fuels. Furthermore, the ash compositions, including silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide, and calcium oxide, remained unchanged across the tested temperatures. Ash fusion testing revealed softening around 1200 degrees Celsius and fusion at approximately 1300 degrees Celsius, demonstrating that torrefaction enhances fuel properties without degrading ash characteristics.
Converting raw wood into reliable industrial fuel is essential for cleaner energy generation. Understanding how torrefaction affects burning behaviour and ash melting points helps plant operators manage furnace slagging and boiler efficiency. Demonstrating that tropical woods achieve high ignitability without altering ash fusion behaviour confirms their suitability for energy production in thermal plants.
The findings are relevant to thermal power plant operators and solid biofuel producers seeking alternative biomass feedstocks. The results confirm that torrefied Teak and Melina meet key ignitability standards for power generation without lowering ash fusion thresholds. Conducted in a laboratory tubular furnace, this work represents applied, early-stage research that requires pilot-scale combustion trials before practical deployment.
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The impact of torrefaction temperature on the ignitability, fuel ratio and ash fusion temperatures of two tropical deciduous woods (Teak and Melina) were investigated in a setup of tubular furnace. The properties considered are calorific value, fuel ratio, ignitability index, ash compositions and ash fusion temperatures of the biomass. Six different temperatures (220, 240, 260, 280, 300 and 320 °C) at 60 min reaction time were considered. The results indicated that as torrefaction temperature increased, the calorific value, fuel ratio and ignitability index of the biomass also increased. The ignitability index of biomass (40–63) was better than the value (35) recommended for fuel applicable in thermal plants for power generation. The ash compositional analysis revealed that there was no variation in the quantity of SiO2, Al2O3, CaO along with other minerals for the raw and torrefied biomass. This implied that the temperature up to 320 °C has no significant impact on the compositions of biomass ash during torrefaction. The ash fusion temperature test showed that the biomass ash softens at ≈ 1200 °C and finally fused at ≈ 1300 °C. The study concluded that an increase in torrefaction temperature increases the thermal properties of the torrefied biomass without affecting the compositions of biomass ash or lowering the ash fusion temperatures.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03582
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