Torrefaction/biochar production by microwave and conventional slow pyrolysis – comparison of energy properties

The energy efficiency of torrefaction/pyrolysis of biomass to fuel/biochar was studied using conventional (slow) and microwave (low temperature) pyrolysis. Conventional pyrolysis is approximately three times as energy efficient as microwave pyrolysis, in terms of the energy required to process a uni...

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Published inGlobal change biology. Bioenergy Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 144 - 152
Main Authors Gronnow, Mark J., Budarin, Vitaliy L., Mašek, Ondřej, Crombie, Kyle N., Brownsort, Peter A., Shuttleworth, Peter S., Hurst, Peter R., Clark, James H.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.03.2013
Subjects
Alternative energy sources
biochar
bioenergy
Biomass
Biomass energy production
calorific value
Carbon dioxide
Carbon sequestration
Catalysis
Cellulose
Charcoal
Coal
Drying
Efficiency
Emissions
Energy efficiency
Fossil fuels
Gases
Industrial plant emissions
Irradiation
Low temperature
microwave
Pyrolysis
Raw materials
Renewable resources
torrefaction
United Kingdom > UK
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Summary:The energy efficiency of torrefaction/pyrolysis of biomass to fuel/biochar was studied using conventional (slow) and microwave (low temperature) pyrolysis. Conventional pyrolysis is approximately three times as energy efficient as microwave pyrolysis, in terms of the energy required to process a unit of feedstock. However, this is more than compensated for by the higher energy content of the condensable and gaseous coproducts from microwave pyrolysis, as these can be utilized to generate the electricity required to drive the process. It is proposed that the most efficient method of torrefaction/biochar production is a combination of conventional heating with ‘catalytic’ amount of microwave irradiation.
ISSN:1757-1693
1757-1707
DOI:10.1111/gcbb.12021