Influence of Torrefaction on Biomass Devolatilization

The present study investigated the effect of torrefaction on the devolatilization characteristics of three lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks with different degrees of torrefaction together with their parent fuel, palm kernel shell, a residue of palm oil production. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis was employed for the study of the devolatilization process. A kinetic model based on three parallel reactions corresponding to biomass chemical components was applied to TG data and used for the evaluation of reaction kinetics. The results obtained indicated that the torrefaction process led to a significant reduction of the hemicellulose content of the investigated biofuels. The characterization of volatile products evolved during biofuel devolatilization was performed by TG analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The emission characteristics and the yields of the main volatile products were assessed. Specific linear correlations between volatile yields and the torrefaction degree could be observed.