BIOMASS PRETREATMENT FOR LARGE PERCENTAGE BIOMASS CO-FIRING

• With the target of reducing net GHG emissions from coal fired power plants, biomass co-firing in such plants is becoming more and more attractive option among other thermal applications of biomass such as combustion, gasification and pyrolysis. Not only CO2, but effective reduction of SOx and NOx emissions can also be expected with this low cost, sustainable and renewable energy option. However, the economic feasibility of such process largely depends on the cost of biomass acquisition and transportation. Therefore, local availability of large quantities of biomass is important for more economic co-firing. Since always this is not the case, pretreatment of biomass to increase energy density is another way to make biomass economical for long distance transportation. Pretreatment also broaden the usage of biomass sources (eg. wet and waste biomass), reduce the moisture content make it hydrophobic reducing drying energy demand, ease to comminute into small particles creating it more economical source for co-firing. Further, as a result of pretreatment, combustion and electricity generation efficiencies will be improved due to increased heating value of pretreated biomass. Therefore, enhancement of biomass properties is advisable not only to improve its inferior characteristics as well as to make it as suitable alternative for fossil fuels. In this paper, the technologies of biomass pretreatment for thermal application, such as physical and thermochemical pretreatments were reviewed. The upgrading processes of biomass including steam explosion, torrefaction and hydrothermal carbonization-HTC were described based on the HHV, adiabatic flame temperature, fouling tendency and emissions. Furthermore, a case study using severely torrified biomass for large percentage co-firing with coal is discussed.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Energiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Energy Engineering (hsv//eng)

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