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What is Biomass Torrefaction

by admin | 5 sep 2020
The world’s energy market is constantly demanding more from less. The concerns of pollution and scarcity are a large factor in finding a proper solution for old methods of energy production. Biomass torrefaction is beginning to become an accessible alternative method of creating and using fuel.
The torrefaction process is merely converting any biomass with high heat and pressure into pellets that can be used as fuel. The process eliminates access materials like organic compounds and water to increase the energy value of the biomass, creating a high caloric, environmentally friendly fuel.
The best part of this process is the fuel it creates can replace coal in power plants that are currently producing energy. The torrefaction process transforms the biomass into high performing pellets that mock the properties of coal.
Torrefied biomass pellets(or chips), unlike other biomass fuels, are able to replace fossil fuels without current power plants having to make major changes to its methods of burning.These pellets offer high amounts of energy while also remaining environmentally friendly by not adding carbon output from burning as fuel.
Torrefied Biomass and the Future
Torrefied biomass fuel sources are the future of renewable, carbonless energy. It can completely replace coal as a producer of electricity as a clean carbon neutral fuel unlike non processed biomass fuels. It will be easy for current coal plants to convert to torrefied biomass without having to make major changes to their combustion systems.
Governments and environmental groups continue to push coal powered plants to shut down in efforts to minimize climate change; forcing business owners to make a change. Previously they could either invest heavily in repurposing their plants for biomass fuels, or lay off a large amount of workers and close their power plants completely.
The solution offered in biomass torrefaction means these plants can stay open, producing clean energy, and keeping its employees working.
Sustainability of Biomass Torrefaction
Biomass torrefaction is able to transform a wide variety of plant species and biowaste into high quality fuel with its high compact process, making it capable of being sustainable. Instead of taking from other industries that harvest biomass as raw material, the leftover residue from those harvesters can be used in torrefaction. Removing leftover raw material, or invasive plant species, and converting them into energy not only reduces the need for resources, but also helps prevent natural forest fires by clearing the debris deemed worthless otherwise.
Proper forest management is essential in the sustainability of biomass torrefaction. As materials are taken and repurposed as raw material, and biomass torrefaction companies clean up what’s left behind, trees or other plant resources should be planted behind them. Those that remove these materials should be replacing them.
Since torrefaction can use a variety of plant material, a variety of species can be planted together to prevent total crop failure. Managing proper rotation and planting enough crops to make up for all that is harvested for energy production will propel the vitality of the material supply cycle of energy harvesting to conversion to carbon neutral energy.