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Farooq MU, Sadiq K, Anis M, Hussain G, Usman M, Fouad Y, Mujtaba M, Fayaz H, Silitonga A. Turning trash into treasure: Torrefaction of mixed waste for improved fuel properties. A case study of metropolitan city. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28980. [PMID: 38633643 PMCID: PMC11021893 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Solid waste management is one of the biggest challenges of the current era. The combustible fractions in the waste stream turn out to be a good energy source if converted into refuse-derived fuel. Researchers worldwide are successfully converting it into fuel. However, certain challenges are associated with its application in gasifiers, boilers, etc. to co-fire it with coal. These include high moisture content, low calorific value, and difficulty to transport and store. The present study proposed torrefaction as a pretreatment of the waste by heating it in the range of 200 °C-300 °C in the absence of oxygen at atmospheric pressure. The combustible fraction from the waste stream consisting of wood, textile, paper, carton, and plastics termed as mixed waste was collected and torrefied at 225 °C, 250 °C, 275 °C, and 300 °C for 15 and 30 min each. It was observed that the mass yield and energy yield decreased to 45% and 62.96% respectively, but the energy yield tended to increase by the ratio of 1.39. Proximate analysis showed that the moisture content and volatile matter decreased for torrefied samples, whereas the ash content and fixed carbon content increased. Similarly, the elemental analysis revealed that the carbon content increased around 23% compared to raw samples with torrefaction contrary to hydrogen and oxygen, which decreased. Moreover, the higher heating value (HHV) of the torrefied samples increased around 1.3 times as compared to the raw sample. This pretreatment can serve as an effective solution to the current challenges and enhance refuse-derived fuel's fuel properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Umar Farooq
- Institute of Environmental Engineering and Research, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, P.O. Box 54980, Pakistan
| | - Khadija Sadiq
- Institute of Environmental Engineering and Research, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, P.O. Box 54980, Pakistan
| | - Mehwish Anis
- Institute of Environmental Engineering and Research, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, P.O. Box 54980, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Hussain
- Institute of Environmental Engineering and Research, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, P.O. Box 54980, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Usman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, P.O. Box 54980, Pakistan
| | - Yasser Fouad
- Department of Applied Mechanical Engineering, College of Applied Engineering, Muzahimiyah Branch, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh, 11421, Saudi Arabia
| | - M.A. Mujtaba
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (New Campus), Lahore, 54890, Pakistan
| | - H. Fayaz
- Modeling Evolutionary Algorithms Simulation and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - A.S. Silitonga
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
- Center of Renewable Energy, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Medan, 20155, Medan, Indonesia
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Abstract
Sugarcane bagasse has a great potential to be used as biofuel; however, its use as feedstock in fluidized bed reactors is hampered due to its fibrous nature, low apparent density, high moisture content, and difficulties with its fluidization. The present study evaluated the torrefaction of sugarcane bagasse to propose suitable process conditions that balance the properties of the fuel obtained in the torrefaction and the process’s energy requirements. Based on the thermogravimetric analysis and previous reports, two final process temperatures (230 °C and 280 °C) and residence times (35 and 45 min) for the same heating rate (5 °C/min) and nitrogen flow (1 L/min) were evaluated. Within the experimental conditions evaluated, it can be concluded that for 30 min of residence time, the average target temperature of 230 °C should be high enough to produce a stable torrefacted bagasse with a 3.41% reduction in the volatile content and obtain 98.85% of energy yield. Higher temperatures increase the feedstock’s carbon content and energy density, but the reduction in energy yield and the fraction of volatiles do not justify higher temperatures or longer residence times for pretreating the sugarcane bagasse.
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Improving the Solid Fuel Properties of Non-Lignocellulose and Lignocellulose Materials through Torrefaction. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14082072. [PMID: 33924163 PMCID: PMC8074372 DOI: 10.3390/ma14082072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Biomass torrefaction is a thermal pre-treatment technique that improves solid fuel properties in relation to its efficient utilization for energy generation. In this study, the torrefaction performance of sewage sludge, a non-lignocellulose biomass and sugarcane bagasse, a lignocellulose biomass were investigated in an electric muffle furnace. The influence of torrefaction temperature on the physiochemical properties of the produced biomaterial were examined. Characterization of the raw and torrefied biomass material were studied using thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and scanning electron microscopy. From the result obtained, it was evident that an increase in torrefaction temperature up to 350 °C caused a 33.89% and 45.94% decrease in volatile matter content of sewage sludge and sugarcane bagasse, respectively. At a higher temperature of 350 °C, the peak corresponding to OH stretching of hydroxyl group decreased in intensity for both biomasses, showing a decomposition of the hydroxyl group as a result of torrefaction. This enriched the lignin content of the torrefied samples, thus making these solid fuels good feedstock for energy production.
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Shehzad M, Asghar A, Ramzan N, Aslam U, Bello MM. Impacts of non-oxidative torrefaction conditions on the fuel properties of indigenous biomass (bagasse). WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2020; 38:1284-1294. [PMID: 32347191 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x20916843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biomass is considered as the largest renewable energy source in the world. However, some of its inherent properties such as hygroscopicity, lower energy content, low mass density and bio-degradation on storage hinder its extensive application in energy generation processes. Torrefaction, a thermochemical process carried out at 200-300°C in a non-oxidative environment, can address these inherent problems of the biomass. In this work, torrefaction of bagasse was performed in a bench-scale tubular reactor at 250°C and 275°C with residence times of 30, 60 and 90 mins. The effects of torrefaction conditions on the elemental composition, mass yield, energy yield, oxygen/carbon (O/C) and hydrogen/carbon (H/C) ratios, higher heating values and structural composition were investigated and compared with the commercially available 'Thar 6' and 'Tunnel C' coal. Based on the targeted mass and energy yields of 80% and 90% respectively, the optimal process conditions turned out to be 250°C and 30 mins. Torrefaction of the bagasse conducted at 275°C and 90 min raised the carbon content in bagasse to 58.14% and resulted in a high heating value of 23.84 MJ/kg. The structural and thermal analysis of the torrefied bagasse indicates that the moisture, non-structural carbohydrates and hemicellulose were reduced, which induced the hydrophobicity in the bagasse and enhanced its energy value. These findings showed that torrefaction can be a sustainable pre-treatment process to improve the fuel and structural properties of biomass as a feedstock for energy generation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shehzad
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan
| | - Anam Asghar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Ramzan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan
| | - Umair Aslam
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan
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Chen WH, Hsu HJ, Kumar G, Budzianowski WM, Ong HC. Predictions of biochar production and torrefaction performance from sugarcane bagasse using interpolation and regression analysis. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2017; 246:12-19. [PMID: 28803060 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.07.184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on the biochar formation and torrefaction performance of sugarcane bagasse, and they are predicted using the bilinear interpolation (BLI), inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation, and regression analysis. It is found that the biomass torrefied at 275°C for 60min or at 300°C for 30min or longer is appropriate to produce biochar as alternative fuel to coal with low carbon footprint, but the energy yield from the torrefaction at 300°C is too low. From the biochar yield, enhancement factor of HHV, and energy yield, the results suggest that the three methods are all feasible for predicting the performance, especially for the enhancement factor. The power parameter of unity in the IDW method provides the best predictions and the error is below 5%. The second order in regression analysis gives a more reasonable approach than the first order, and is recommended for the predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hsin Chen
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
| | - Hung-Jen Hsu
- International Bachelor Degree Program on Energy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Gopalakrishnan Kumar
- Green Processing, Bioremediation and Alternative Energies Research Group, Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | | | - Hwai Chyuan Ong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Sudibyo H, Majid AI, Pradana YS, Budhijanto W, Deendarlianto, Budiman A. Technological Evaluation of Municipal Solid Waste Management System in Indonesia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2017.03.312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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