Waste to Energy: Steam explosion-based torrefaction process to produce solid biofuel for power generation utilizing...

Currently, humankind is facing a serious environmental and climate crisis, which has accelerated the research on producing bioenergy from waste biomass as a carbon-neutral feedstock. In this study, the aim was to develop an upcycling strategy for waste biomass to solid-type biofuel conversion for power generation. Various types of waste biomass (i.e., waste wood after lumbering, sawdust-type mushroom waste wood, kudzu vine, and empty fruit bunches from palm) were used as sustainable feedstocks for steam explosion-based torrefaction. The reaction conditions were optimized for each waste biomass by controlling the severity index (R_o); the higher heating value increased proportional to the R_o increase. Additionally, component analysis revealed that steam explosion torrefaction mainly degraded hemicellulose, and most of the torrefied waste biomass met the Bio-Solid Refuse Fuel quality standard. The results provide not only a viable waste-to-energy strategy but also insights to address global climate change.