Development of a biomass torrefaction process integrated with oxy-fuel combustion

Torrefaction of forest residues was studied under conditions relevant to oxy-fuel combustion flue gases. The results showed that the torrefaction in CO2 had a lower solid mass yield (81.36%) than that (83.06%) in N2. Addition of steam into CO2 (CO2/H2O = 1/0.7 mole/mole) resulted in a higher mass yield (83.30%) compared to 81.36% in CO2. The energy yield was consistently increased from 79.17% to 84.12% or 88.32% for the torrefaction in N-2, CO2, or the CO2 and steam mixture, respectively. On the other hand, additions of O-2 into the mixture of steam and CO2 led to reductions in both mass yield (from 83.30% to 82.57% or 76.44%) and energy yield (from 88.32% to 84.65% or 79.16%, for the torrefaction in steam and CO2 without O-2, with 5% v/v, or 10% v/v of O-2, respectively). (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.