• Feedstocks Analysed at Celignis
    Torrefied Biomass

Background on Torrefied Biomass

The torrefaction of biomass can be considered to be a mild form of pyrolysis. It involves heating the biomass, in the absence of oxygen. Typically, temperatures between 200 and 320 degrees Celsius are used.

Torrefaction will remove moisture and volatiles from the biomass, with the types of constituents that are removed, and their extent of removal, being dependent on the temperature used and the duration of the process.

Analysis of Torrefied Biomass at Celignis



Celignis Analytical can determine the following properties of Torrefied Biomass samples:



Lignocellulosic Properties of Torrefied Biomass

Cellulose Content of Torrefied Biomass

In most biomass moisture is the first component to be volatilised as temperature increases, followed by hemicellulose, then cellulose, and eventually lignin. The relative cellulose content of the torrified biomass may be greater or less than in the original biomass, depending on the conditions of torrefaction.

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Hemicellulose Content of Torrefied Biomass

Usually, the hemicellulose content of the torrified biomass will be less than in the original biomass.

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Lignin Content of Torrefied Biomass

The lignin content of torrefied biomass is usually significantly greater than that of the original biomass. This is because, while extractives, hemicellulose, and cellulose, can be volatile under the temperatures used for torrefaction, lignin is not (to any great extent).

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Starch Content of Torrefied Biomass

It is likely that torrefaction will reduce the starch content of biomass. This is because the heat-induced depolymerization of starch to maltodextrin occurs between between 200 and 250 degrees Celcius.

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Uronic Acid Content of Torrefied Biomass

Depending on the severity of the torrefaction conditions, the uronic acids that were present in the original biomass may either have been removed or retained within the residual solid biomass.

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Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Torrefied Biomass

We can undertake tests involving the enzymatic hydrolysis of Torrefied Biomass. In these experiments we can either use a commercial enzyme mix or you can supply your own enzymes. We also offer analysis packages that compare the enzymatic hydrolysis of a pre-treated sample with that of the native original material.

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Bioenergy Properties of Torrefied Biomass

Ash Content of Torrefied Biomass

The ash content of the torrefied biomass will depend on the conditions used. In many cases the torrified biomass has a greater ash content than the original biomass.

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Heating (Calorific) Value of Torrefied Biomass

Lignin has a greater heating value than hemicellulose and cellulose. Therefore, given that torrefaction removes moisture, as well as hemicellulose and cellulose (to varying degrees), and increases lignin content, it should be expected that torrefied biomass will have a greater heating value than the starting biomass. The difference between the two heating values will greaten with increased time and duration used for torrefaction.

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Ash Melting Behaviour of Torrefied Biomass

Ash melting, also known as ash fusion and ash softening, can lead to slagging, fouling and corrosion in boilers which may reduce conversion efficiency. We can determine the ash melting behaviour of Torrefied Biomass using our Carbolite CAF G5 BIO ash melting furnace. It can record the following temperatures:

Ash Shrinkage Starting Temperature (SST) - This occurs when the area of the test piece of Torrefied Biomass ash falls below 95% of the original test piece area.

Ash Deformation Temperature (DT) - The temperature at which the first signs of rounding of the edges of the test piece occurs due to melting.

Ash Hemisphere Temperature (HT) - When the test piece of Torrefied Biomass ash forms a hemisphere (i.e. the height becomes equal to half the base diameter).

Ash Flow Temperature (FT) - The temperature at which the Torrefied Biomass ash is spread out over the supporting tile in a layer, the height of which is half of the test piece at the hemisphere temperature.



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Major and Minor Elements in Torrefied Biomass

Examples of major elements that may be present in Torrefied Biomass include potassium and sodium which are present in biomass ash in the forms of oxides. These can lead to fouling, ash deposition in the convective section of the boiler. Alkali chlorides can also lead to slagging, the fusion and sintering of ash particles which can lead to deposits on boiler tubes and walls.

We can also determine the levels of 13 different minor elements (such as arsenic, copper, and zinc) that may be present in Torrefied Biomass.

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Analysis of Torrefied Biomass for Anaerobic Digestion



Biomethane potential (BMP) of Torrefied Biomass

Torrefaction is a process that increases the relative proportion of lignin in a feedstock whilst reducing the amounts of the most volatile components. As a result, a torrefied sample will be a worse feedstock for anaerobic digestion than the virgin material, with a significantly lower biochemical methane potential (BMP).

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Physical Properties of Torrefied Biomass



Bulk Density of Torrefied Biomass

At Celignis we can determine the bulk density of biomass samples, including Torrefied Biomass, according to ISO standard 17828 (2015). This method requires the biomass to be in an appropriate form (chips or powder) for density determination.



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Particle Size of Torrefied Biomass

Torrefaction is a process that increases the relative proportion of lignin in a feedstock whilst reducing the amounts of the most volatile components. As a result, a torrefied sample will be a worse feedstock for anaerobic digestion than the virgin material, with a significantly lower biochemical methane potential (BMP).

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Examples of Other Feedstocks Analysed at Celignis



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