Torrefaction of non - oil Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha) biomass for solid fuel

Abstract

The use of non-oil Jatropha biomass in the energy mix as a solid fuel offers the most effective ways of utilising such resource. However, available information indicates that biomass has negative inherent properties which lower its fuel value. This negative effect can be improved by slow pyrolysis process called torrefaction where the biomass is heated in the range of 200 °C to 300 °C. In the present investigation the effects of torrefaction temperature on the solid fuel value of different Jatropha biomass materials were determined. Consequently, three types of Jatropha biomass namely; seed cake, stem and fruit cover were considered under five temperature levels (200 °C, 225 °C, 250 °C, 275 °C, 300 °C). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that there were significant differences (P > 0.05) in bulk density, hygroscopicity, energy content and ultimate etc. The statistical analysis results indicated that there was biomass type and torrefaction temperature interaction effects on the ultimate analysis, bulk density, hygroscopicity, energy content and energy yield. The interaction effects of the factors under investigation were not observed in mass yield. Increase in torrefaction temperature generally reduced the equilibrium moisture content and volatile matters across the biomass types. However fixed carbon, carbon content, ash content and energy density were increased across the biomass types as the temperature was increased from 200 °C to 300 °C. The torrefied Jatropha seed cake biomass showed relatively enhanced fuel characteristics than the torrefied stem and the torrefied fruit husk when considering the properties under investigation.

Physicochemical Properties of Biochar Produced from Goldenrod Plants

“…ANOVA was also used in research on the production of biochar, bio-oil, and biogas from sugarcane bagasse [ 40 ], torrefaction of palm kernel shells [ 41 , 42 ], torrefaction at temperatures from 200 °C to 300 °C of three types of Jatrofy biomass [ 43 ], and wet torrefaction of Korean pine [ 27 ].…”

A Technical Analysis of Solid Recovered Fuel from Torrefied Jatropha Seed Residue via a Two-Stage Mechanical Screw Press and Solvent Extraction Process

“…where m raw , m tor = mass of dried raw JMS and JMS T , HHV raw , HHV tor = HHV of dried raw JMS and JMS T . E D is defined as the HHV ratio of torrefied and dried raw biomass, which can be also named energy ratio or enhancement factor [12][13][14]. The calculated E D of JMS T is presented in Figure 4.…”

“…Several energy conversion technologies have been used to transform Jatropha seed and J-cake into solid, liquid, and gaseous energy carriers. These technologies include anaerobic digestion, torrefaction, pyrolysis, combustion, and gasification [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. In general, all biomass residues can be transformed into compost to be used as fertilizer or can be burned directly via combustion, gasification, or processes to create upgraded solid biofuels.…”

“…Wet organic waste is more suitable for anaerobic digestion to produce biogas (CH 4 ). Torrefaction, the so-called roasting, a slow pyrolysis in the mild temperature range of 200-300 • C under an inert or limited oxygen atmosphere, is a promising technique for pre-treating de-oiled seeds to be further submitted to gasification or co-firing [8,[12][13][14]. The thermal treatment of torrefaction not only destroys fibrous structures, but also improves the calorific value of biomass.…”

“…Studies on torrefaction of Jatropha biomass have examined different residues and extraction methods, such as J-cake after mechanical extraction [8], Jatropha seed kernel after solvent extraction [12], Jatropha fruit husk and seed cake after solvent extraction [13], and Jatropha fruit hulls and seed shells after mechanical extraction [14]. In the same torrefaction conditions, the torrefied J-cake biomass showed relatively enhanced fuel characteristics than the torrefied stem and fruit husk [13]. The porous structure of the torrefied Jatropha biochar is extended by increasing the torrefaction temperature [12].…”