title: Mild hydrothermal conditioning prior to torrefaction and slow pyrolysis of low-value biomass.
abstract: The aim of this research was to establish whether hydrothermal conditioning and subsequent thermochemical processing via batch torrefaction or slow pyrolysis may improve the fuel quality of grass residues. A comparison in terms of fuel quality was made of the direct thermochemical processing of the feedstock versus hydrothermal conditioning as a pretreatment prior to thermochemical processing. Hydrothermal conditioning reduced ash content, and particularly nitrogen, potassium and chlorine contents in the biomass. The removal of volatile organic matter associated with thermochemical processes can increase the HHV to levels of volatile bituminous coal. However, slow pyrolysis only increased the HHV of biomass provided a low ash content (<6%) feedstock was used. In conclusion, hydrothermal conditioning can have a highly positive influence on the efficiency of thermochemical processes for upgrading low-value (high-ash) biomass to a higher quality fuel.
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Applied Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Coupure Links 653, Ghent 9000, Belgium. Electronic address: reinhart.vanpoucke@ugent.be.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Van Poucke
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Biosystems Engineering, Laboratory for Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass, Coupure Links 653, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Nachenius
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Applied Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Coupure Links 653, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Agbo
authors.affiliation: Kassel University, Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Kassel University, Steinstrasse 19, Witzenhausen, 37213 Kassel, Germany.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hensgen
authors.affiliation: Kassel University, Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Kassel University, Steinstrasse 19, Witzenhausen, 37213 Kassel, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bühle
authors.affiliation: Kassel University, Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Kassel University, Steinstrasse 19, Witzenhausen, 37213 Kassel, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wachendorf
authors.affiliation: Korea Biochar Research Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ok
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Applied Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Coupure Links 653, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: F M G
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Tack
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Biosystems Engineering, Laboratory for Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass, Coupure Links 653, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Prins
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Biosystems Engineering, Laboratory for Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass, Coupure Links 653, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ronsse
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Applied Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Coupure Links 653, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meers
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry; D003031:Coal / Q000032:analysis; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D003031:Coal; C540010:biochar; D014867:Water; D002606:Charcoal
keywords: Energy densification; Grass; Hydrothermal conditioning; Slow pyrolysis; Torrefaction