PRETREATMENT OF BAGASSE TO IMPROVE FUEL QUALITY VIA TORREFACTION Noorfidza Yub Harun Muhammad T Afzal Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB CSBE Annual Conference, Brudenell River Resort, Prince Edward Island, July 12-15, 2009

Contents Project Background 1 Objectives 2 Methodology 3 Results and Discussion 4 Conclusion 5

INCREASE IN CRUDE OIL PRICE PROJECT BACKGROUND CURRENT ISSUES GLOBAL WARMING “….. biomass has a great potential today and in the future, since it is renewable, in contrast to the nature of the fossil fuels ”- E. NATARAJAN- INCREASE IN ENERGY DEMAND DEPLETION OF FOSSIL RESOURCES

BIOFUEL What ? Biofuel is defined as solid, liquid, or gas fuel derived from biomass, theoretically produced from any (biological) carbon source 1 PYROLYSIS 2 GASIFICATION 3 CARBONIZATION Heating in absence of Oxygen Types: mild and fast Convert biomass into CO and Hydrogen For energy-rich gaseous product Value added technology Upgrade fuels How?

PYROLYSIS Pyrolysis MILD (TORREFACTION) slow heating process maximum temperature of 300 °C solid as main product FAST rapid heating process temperature range of °C liquid and gas as main product ADVANTAGES yield solid uniform product retain 70% of initial weight lower moisture, but higher energy content remove smoke producing compounds

SUGARCANE PLANTATION IN MALAYSIA 1.2 million tons of Sugarcane produced annually Plantation area: 34,500A Abundant bagasse Biodegradable with calorific value

COMPARISON OF BIOMASS Calorific Value Composition

OBJECTIVE To study the improvement of fuel quality in energy content through torrefaction process To study the improvement of fuel quality in energy content through torrefaction process

METHODOLOGY Preparation of Bagasse sample Heating at 110 o C (24 hours) Grinding

METHODOLOGY Controlled Parameters Setting Control Factor SampleBagasse Particle size 425 micron1.18 mm Heating rate35 ºC/min50 ºC/min Reaction time25 minutes18 minutes

Experimental Run for Torrefaction METHODOLOGY Particle sizeHeating rateReaction timeTemperature 425 micron35 ºC/min25 minutes micron50 ºC/min18 minutes mm35 ºC/min25 minutes mm50 ºC/min18 minutes

METHODOLOGY (i) Moisture Content Analysis (ii) Calorific Value Analysis (iii) Composition Analysis (iv) TGA Analysis

RESUTLS & DISCUSSION Pre-treatment of Bagasse 1. Gradual decrease, then remain constant after two hours 2. Weight loss is due to moisture content loss 3. Water removed by convection and diffusion 4. Remove bound and free water Gradual decrease Remain constant

RESUTLS & DISCUSSION Proximate and Elemental Analysis for Bagasse 2 SampleBagasse Moisture (%) db2.77 Volatile Matters (%) db48.13 Ash (%) db4.6 Carbon, C (%) db44.5 Hydrogen, H (%) db5.32 Nitrogen, N (%) db0.83 Sulfur, S (%) db0.25 Heating Value, (kJ/kg) db 11756

RESUTLS & DISCUSSION Heating Values (kJ/kg) Obtained for Each Operating Conditions Fresh Bagasse, LHV Particle Size Heating Rate Reaction Time Torrefaction Temperature 425  m  m 35 ºC/min25 min  m 50 ºC/min18 min mm35 ºC/min25 min mm50 ºC/min18 min

Calorific Value of Raw Bagasse and Torrified Bagasse at 200 o C with Different Particle Sizes RESUTLS & DISCUSSION

Calorific Values of Torrified Bagasse at Different Temperature, Particle Size and Reaction Time RESUTLS & DISCUSSION

Heating rate effects on calorific values of torrified bagasse RESUTLS & DISCUSSION

Effect of Temperature on TGA Analysis Weight loss effects at temperature range from o C 80% weight content remains

CONCLUSIONS  The heating values were increased with temperature and heating rate.  The heating values were decreased with increasing particle size.  Weight of most torrefied bagasse remained at 80%.  Exhibit higher moisture loss while retaining higher energy and initial weight.  Bagasse has a great potential to be used as biofuel after torrefaction.

Questions and Answers