Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-2023
Abstract
This paper investigates the parameters impacting product quality in a pilot scale biomass torrefaction reactor. The system analyzed in this work was designed and manufactured by Norris Thermal Technologies for use in Big Lagoon, California at a remote mill site. The torrefaction unit was a continuous feed reactor with an electrically heated screw, which served the dual purpose of heating and biomass conveyance. The energy and mass yields were found to be highly correlated in this analysis. The best predictor of both energy and mass yield in this study was the steady state temperature measurement in the biomass product closest to the outlet of the reactor. The variation in residence time, moisture content and feedstock species are not statistically significant parameters for predicting mass yield or energy yield. The enhancement of the higher heating value was correlated with temperature and species with the enhancement factor greatest on average for tan oak, next largest for slash and redwood, and smallest for douglas fir. The proximate analysis exhibited a strong correlation between both fixed carbon and volatile matter and mass yield, as well as a moderate correlation to the product 3 steady state temperature. The ash content of the product did not exhibit a correlation with mass yield or temperature. The residence time, feedstock moisture content, and feedstock did not have statistically significant effects on the proximate analysis content when mass yield and temperature were considered.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Rights
Licensed to Smith College and distributed CC-BY 4.0 under the Smith College Faculty Open Access Policy.
Recommended Citation
Partridge, Anna H.; Casini, Isabella; McKahn, Denise A.; Carter, David; Chamberlin, Charles; Jacobson, Arne; Palmer, Kyle; Rana, Yaad; and Severy, Mark, "Influence of Feedstock and Moisture Content in a Continuous Feed Screw Torrefier" (2023). Engineering: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/egr_facpubs/152
Comments
Author's submitted manuscript.
Preprint submitted to Biomass & Bioenergy