Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

A comprehensive comparative study on the energy application of chars produced from different biomass feedstocks via hydrothermal conversion, pyrolysis, and torrefaction

Güleç, Fatih; Williams, Orla; Kostas, Emily T.; Samson, Abby; Lester, Edward

A comprehensive comparative study on the energy application of chars produced from different biomass feedstocks via hydrothermal conversion, pyrolysis, and torrefaction Thumbnail


Authors

DR FATIH GULEC FATIH.GULEC1@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Assistant Professor in Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Emily T. Kostas

Abby Samson



Abstract

Understanding the suitability of different conversion technologies for different types of biomass feedstocks is crucial in delivering the full valorisation of different types of biomasses. This is novel research which presents an extensive comparative study on how three different thermal conversion technologies (torrefaction, pyrolysis, and semi-continuous hydrothermal conversion) and process interdependencies are influenced by different feedstocks (Rapeseed (RS), Whitewood (WW), Seaweed Laminaria digitata (LD))) for the optimisation of char (hydrochar/biochar) formation and their associated bioenergy applications. A wide range of processing conditions was analysed to optimise char formation and potential applications of these chars in energy production were extensively investigated. Based on the evaluation of char structures, hydrothermal conversion could be an applicable method for char production from WW and RS. The char yield of WW is in the range of 30–50 wt% at the early stage of hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC, 235 °C). Increasing temperature (>265 °C) decreased char yield but produced a higher HHV char (∼30 kJ/g). Approximately 90 wt% of LD dissolved into the water at low temperatures (<200 °C) during hydrothermal conversion, leaving small amounts of char with a significant ash content (∼50 wt%). During pyrolysis, RS and WW gradually decomposed and produced char with yield of ∼ 35–40 wt% at 400 °C consisting of a high lignin content with a HHV of > 34 kJ/g. Similarly, LD decomposed gradually with a char yield of 45 wt% at 400 °C, but with a low HHV (∼15 kJ/g) and high ash content (20 wt%). WW had relatively high char yield of ∼ 60 wt% during pyrolysis at 250 °C, with a HHV of 25 kJ/g. Although RS had a high char yield (∼75 wt%) with a high HHV (>30 kJ/g), the chars still contained a significant amount of volatiles. The WW char from these three thermal conversion technologies, and RS chars produced by pyrolysis and hydrothermal conversion, could have a potential application in bioenergy production. However, the ash content and low HHV make LD unsuitable for bioenergy applications.

Citation

Güleç, F., Williams, O., Kostas, E. T., Samson, A., & Lester, E. (2022). A comprehensive comparative study on the energy application of chars produced from different biomass feedstocks via hydrothermal conversion, pyrolysis, and torrefaction. Energy Conversion and Management, 270, Article 116260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2022.116260

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 17, 2022
Online Publication Date Sep 29, 2022
Publication Date Oct 15, 2022
Deposit Date Jan 18, 2023
Publicly Available Date Jan 18, 2023
Journal Energy Conversion and Management
Print ISSN 0196-8904
Electronic ISSN 2590-1745
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 270
Article Number 116260
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2022.116260
Keywords Energy Engineering and Power Technology; Fuel Technology; Nuclear Energy and Engineering; Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/12329430
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890422010378?via%3Dihub

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations