Correlation between Chemical Alterations and Energetic Properties in Torrefied Biomass

Biomass torrefaction is attracting a great attention in the last years. This process can be defined as a thermochemical conversion technology, that occurs in an oxygen free atmosphere, at a temperature average of 300°C, and producing materials with low O/C and H/C ratios. The process of torrefaction can improve the properties of the biomass for energy applications. Biomass chemical changes are translated on the improvement of its energetic properties, such as higher calorific power, higher hydrophobicity or improved grindability. The objective of such a research is to evaluate the impact of torrefaction, subjected the standard settings of 265°C, in a nitrogen atmosphere and during one hour and 45 minutes of heating period, on a series of 16 woody biomasses originating from poplar short rotation coppice (SRC) and different Portuguese roundwood species. In the end, the results that were achieved from the conducted experimental study showed that the medium mass loss was superior to 40% for all samples used for that purpose.