Technical and economic assessment for the production of torrefied ligno-cellulosic biomass pellets in the US

Pirraglia, Adrian; Gonzalez, Ronalds; Saloni, Daniel; Denig, Joseph

doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2012.09.024

Cited by 89 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…This process has been studied on a large variety of feedstock applying different torrefaction settings (e.g., temperature, and time) mainly on lab-scale [8] and most recently also in pilot scale plants [9]. Several technological innovations were made over the past years to bring the process to commercial scale [10] and techno-economic assessments assuming European and Northern American conditions were conducted [11,12]. In both cases, the now more homogenous, brittle and hydrophobic material is compacted to pellets and can be transported, stored for prolonged periods and delivered as a boiler fuel.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Torreﬁed Biomass Pellets—Comparing Grindability in Different Laboratory Mills

et al. 2016

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Abstract:The firing and co-firing of biomass in pulverized coal fired power plants around the world is expected to increase in the coming years. Torrefaction may prove to be a suitable way of upgrading biomass for such an application. For transport and storage purposes, the torrefied biomass will tend to be in pellet form. Whilst standard methods for the assessment of the milling characteristics of coal exist, this is not the case for torrefied materials-whether in pellet form or not. The grindability of the fuel directly impacts the overall efficiency of the combustion process and as such it is an important parameter. In the present study, the grindability of different torrefied biomass pellets was tested in three different laboratory mill types; cutting mill (CM), hammer mill (HM) and impact mill (IM). The specific grinding energy (SGE) required for a defined mass throughput of pellets in each mill was measured and results were compared to other pellet characterization methods (e.g., durability, and hardness) as well as the modified Hardgrove Index. Seven different torrefied biomass pellets including willow, pine, beech, poplar, spruce, forest residue and straw were used as feedstock. On average, the particle-size distribution width (across all feedstock) was narrowest for the IM (0.41 mm), followed by the HM (0.51 mm) and widest for the CM (0.62 mm). Regarding the SGE, the IM consumed on average 8.23 Wh/kg while CM and HM consumed 5.15 and 5.24 Wh/kg, respectively. From the three mills compared in this study, the IM seems better fit for being used in a standardized method that could be developed in the future, e.g., as an ISO standard.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Torreﬁed Biomass Pellets—Comparing Grindability in Different Laboratory Mills

et al. 2016

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“…purchasing heater and installation are highly complicated. Biomass is highly labour concentrated than customary gas or oil establishments unless a container is used to keep it finished up with pellets or chips [15,16]. It's actually that bio-pellet boiler should get clean frequently after every use.…”

Section: Bio-pellet Waste Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Approach for Biofuel Production from Household Leftovers by Thermochemical Decomposition

Kumar¹

2017

JAMES

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Pyrolysis is a hopeful innovation for transforming household waste into renewable biofuels. This research gives a draw of on-going endeavours, advances and ecological and financial parts of the innovation. Inside the pyrolysis container, heat pipe framework is used to keep up the temperature. Heat pipe based pyrolysis framework was found to be a cost effective, energy saving successful innovation. This technique depends on the temperature inside the container. Power usage, amount and nature of the outcome are acquired from the procedure and they are validated. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) from household is used to obtain the biofuels. In this work, the final pyrolysis outputs are biochar, bio-oil and biogas.

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“…Based on previous literature (Pirraglia et al 2010b) and current models being developed (Pirraglia et al 2012b;2012c), the costs for producing wood chips, wood pellets, torrefied wood, and torrefied wood pellets have been assessed, and these costs include transportation (delivered cost) of the biomass to the facilities with a maximum transportation distance of 50 miles. Considerations for economies of scale are taken into account with the calculation of each production cost at factory gate.…”

Section: Considerations and Variables For Determining The Suitabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this sense, previous work performed by the authors indicate the necessity of adding either steam conditioning (treatment selected for the torrefied pellets described in this research due to its lower production costs), or binders (Distillers Dried Grains, feed corn, soybeans, etc.) in order to manufacture durable pellets that are adequate for transportation (Pirraglia et al 2012c), increasing the production costs of this pretreatment. The characteristics of this new technology and its combination with a pelletization process must be carefully assessed in its economic and technical aspects, as well as evaluating the selection of biomass for such a product.…”

Section: Torrefaction/pelletizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the Most Adequate Pre-Treatments and Woody Biomass Sources Intended for Direct Co-Firing in the U.S.

Pirraglia¹,

Gonzalez²,

Denig³

et al. 2012

BioResources

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There is increasing interest in replacing coal with woody biomass in cofiring plants for electrical power. A variety of pre-treatments can be used to make biomass more suitable for co-firing. This research presents a model that evaluates the delivered costs of various pre-treated biomass sources, electricity production costs, and constraints, and calculates a least cost mix. Results of the scenario presented indicate that wood chips are the most economical co-firing option for delivering biomass to direct-fired boilers. Apart from potential feeding and processing issues, the wood-chips options of forest residues present the lowest cost of electricity production for small-scale co-firing applications. From the options that will ensure minimum processing issues in the co-firing cycle, wood pellets from southern yellow pine represent the most economical choice. Based on coal displacement from the facility, torrefied wood pellets from southern yellow pine is a preferred option as compared to other choices evaluated. An alternative to torrefied wood pellets from southern yellow pine is dark torrefied Eucalyptus benthamii, providing similar electricity production costs while reducing coal utilization.

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Technical and economic assessment for the production of torrefied ligno-cellulosic biomass pellets in the US

Cited by 89 publications

References 33 publications

Torreﬁed Biomass Pellets—Comparing Grindability in Different Laboratory Mills

Torreﬁed Biomass Pellets—Comparing Grindability in Different Laboratory Mills

A Systematic Approach for Biofuel Production from Household Leftovers by Thermochemical Decomposition

Assessment of the Most Adequate Pre-Treatments and Woody Biomass Sources Intended for Direct Co-Firing in the U.S.

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