Fuel property variation of biomass undergoing torrefaction

The influence of torrefaction operating conditions upon the properties of the residue of a microalga Chlamydomonas sp. JSC4 (C. sp. JSC4) is explored. The experimental results indicate that the mass losses of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon from torrefaction are characterized by the order of oxygen > hydrogen > carbon. Meanwhile, the three physical quantities of solid yield, higher heating value (HHV) enhancement factor, and energy yield linearly decrease with increasing the mass losses of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. The ignition and burnout temperatures of the torrefied are analyzed using a thermogravimetric analyzer. The ignition temperature of the biomass is insensitive to the torrefaction severity when the torrefaction degree is not severe, whereas the ignition and burnout temperatures are raised to a certain extent when the torrefaction becomes severe. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.