Abstract

Torrefaction is the mild process carried out at the temperature range of 200-300oC to improve the properties of biomass. This thermal treatment of biomass produces high quality solid biofuel that can be used for combustion and gasification. Torrefaction is based on the removal of oxygen from biomass which aims to produce a fuel with increased energy density by decomposing the reactive hemicelluloses fraction. An overview of research trend and technological development in the improvement of biomass physical and thermochemical characteristics via the process of torrefaction is presented in this paper.

Keywords: Torrefaction, biomass, kinetics, gasificaion, cellulose