title: An experimental and theoretical investigation on torrefaction of a large wet wood particle.
abstract: A competitive kinetic scheme representing primary and secondary reactions is proposed for torrefaction of large wet wood particles. Drying and diffusive, convective and radiative mode of heat transfer is considered including particle shrinking during torrefaction. The model prediction compares well with the experimental results of both mass fraction residue and temperature profiles for biomass particles. The effect of temperature, residence time and particle size on torrefaction of cylindrical wood particles is investigated through model simulations. For large biomass particles heat transfer is identified as one of the controlling factor for torrefaction. The optimum torrefaction temperature, residence time and particle size are identified. The model may thus be integrated with CFD analysis to estimate the performance of an existing torrefier for a given feedstock. The performance analysis may also provide useful insight for design and development of an efficient torrefier.
authors.affiliation: Mechanical Engineering Department, Dalhousie University Halifax, Canada.
authors.forename: Prabir
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Basu
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, India. Electronic address: t_sadhu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Anup Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Sadhukhan
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, India.
authors.forename: Parthapratim
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Greenfield Research Incorporated, Halifax, Canada.
authors.forename: Shailendra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Greenfield Research Incorporated, Halifax, Canada.
authors.forename: Alok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dhungana
authors.affiliation: Greenfield Research Incorporated, Halifax, Canada.
authors.forename: Bishnu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Acharya
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006813:Humidity; D007700:Kinetics; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000737:chemistry*; D032107:Populus / Q000737:chemistry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014934:Wood / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Design; Heat transfer; Kinetic model; Rate-controlling; Torrefaction