Production test of torrefied biomass solid fuel from wet material of Japanese cedar

Abstract

The torrefaction process, which means low temperature heat treatment of woody biomass before severe thermal degradation without oxygen atmosphere, has recently emerged as a promising technology to upgrade solid fuel characteristics. Torrefied woody biomass fuel have higher energy density as well as better hydrophobicity and requires lower grinding energy. Our group produced the torrefaction demonstration plant, which consists of rotary-kiln type oven and ring-die type pelletizer, and succeeded to produce torrefied chip from continuously from wet wood chip of Japanese cedar. The torrefied fuel prepared in the demonstration plant showed better combustion performance in the stove and burner than conventional wood pellet. We propose a small scale utilization model of torrefied wood fuel as a heat resources for small heating appliance in rural area.