Torrefaction of oat straw to use as solid biofuel, an additive to organic fertilizers for agriculture purposes and activated carbon – TGA analysis, kinetics

¹ Lodz University of Technology, Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Wolczanska 213, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
² University of Zielona Góra, Faculty of Economics and Management, ul. Licealna 9, 65-246 Zielona Góra, Poland
³ University of Kardynal Stefan Wyszyński, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Science, Dewajtis 5, 01-815 Warszawa, Poland
⁴ Lodz University of Technology, Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Wolczanska 213, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
⁵ Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha str. 12/16, 90-131 Łódź, Poland
⁶ University of Lodz, Chemical Faculty, Tamka 13, 91-403 Łódź, Poland
⁷ AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30059 Krakow, Poland
⁸ Czestochowa University of Technology, Institute of Advanced Energy Technologies, Dabrowskiego 73, 42-200, Czestochowa, Poland
⁹ Wroclaw University of Economics, Faculty of Engineering and Economics, Komandorska 118/120, 53-345 Wrocław, Poland

szymon.szufa@p.lodz.pl
m.dzikuc@wez.uz.zgora.pl
l.adrian@uksw.edu.pl
piotr.piersa@p.lodz.pl
romano@biol.uni.lodz.pl
wiktoria.lewandowska.uni.lodz@gmail.com
mmarczak@agh.edu.pl
ablaszczuk@is.pcz.pl
arkadiusz.piwowar@ue.wroc.pl

Abstract

In this paper authors present research results which are the optimum parameters of the torrefaction process using straw from oats and maize. The most important parameters for the torrefaction process are temperature and residence time. Both parameters are essential to designing and construction of industrial biomass torrefaction installations. Energy crops and waste coming from agricultural production have the most promising perspective from all kind of renewable energy sources in Poland. Currently, intensive studies on the process of biomass torrefaction are being carried out. In this experimental investigation, authors examined the torrefaction process of two types of agriculture biomass, such as: oats, maize. The main overarching objective of the experimental studies described below is the development of various biochar as an additive to agricultural fertilizers resulting from the conversion of biomass from agriculture residues – straw from oats and maize. The last of enumerated biomasses is treated through different conversion processes such as: drying, torrefaction to homogenize their physical and chemical properties. Among many of its areas, it is extremely important to optimize the production of biomass energy plants and its refinement (in the torrefaction process), which will improve the balance and profitability of energy production from RES, and reduce the logistics and storage costs of this fuel and improve the efficiency of biomass combustion process. When implementing new technologies indicated in this work and optimizing the harvesting of plant biomass, the negative impact on the environment caused by stored municipal waste can be reduced. This biomass torrefaction process temperature and residence time were necessary for the design and construction of semi-pilot scale biomass torrefaction installations with dryer and torrefaction reactor to perform a continuous biomass torrefaction process using superheated steam