Comparative Assessment of Wet Torrefaction

Wet torrefaction of typical Norwegian biomass fuels was studied within the temperature window of 175-225 degrees C, using a benchtop autoclave reactor of 250 mL in volume from Parr Instrument. Two types of local biomass fuels were employed as feedstock, Norway spruce (softwood) and birch (hardwood). Effects of process parameters including pressure, reaction temperature, holding time, and feedstock particle size on the yield and properties of the solid products were investigated. It appears that birch wood is more reactive and produces less solid products than spruce wood in the same wet torrefaction conditions. Increasing pressure above the saturated vapor pressure of water enhances the torrefaction rate. Both reaction temperature and holding time have significant effects on solid product yield and fuel properties of wet torrefied biomass. The yield of solid products is slightly reduced with decreasing feedstock particle size. The ash content of biomass fuel is significantly reduced by wet torrefaction. In addition, a comparison between wet and dry torrefaction supported by regression analyses and numerical predictions shows that wet torrefaction can produce solid fuels with greater heating values at much lower temperatures and shorter holding times.