WO2015021556A1 - Composition de combustible solide à base de biomasse torréfiée - Google Patents

Composition de combustible solide à base de biomasse torréfiée Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015021556A1
WO2015021556A1 PCT/CA2014/050775 CA2014050775W WO2015021556A1 WO 2015021556 A1 WO2015021556 A1 WO 2015021556A1 CA 2014050775 W CA2014050775 W CA 2014050775W WO 2015021556 A1 WO2015021556 A1 WO 2015021556A1
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torrefied
cellulosic material
fuel composition
wood
composition according
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PCT/CA2014/050775
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English (en)
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Rodney Keith SPRULES
Anjali VARMA
Joanne Marie JOHNSON
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Torrefuels Incorporated
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Priority to US14/912,173 priority Critical patent/US20160200997A1/en
Publication of WO2015021556A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015021556A1/fr

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
    • C10L5/00—Solid fuels
    • C10L5/40—Solid fuels essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin
    • C10L5/44—Solid fuels essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin on vegetable substances
    • C10L5/447—Carbonized vegetable substances, e.g. charcoal, or produced by hydrothermal carbonization of biomass
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
    • C10L5/00—Solid fuels
    • C10L5/02—Solid fuels such as briquettes consisting mainly of carbonaceous materials of mineral or non-mineral origin
    • C10L5/06—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting
    • C10L5/10—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting with the aid of binders, e.g. pretreated binders
    • C10L5/14—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting with the aid of binders, e.g. pretreated binders with organic binders
    • C10L5/146—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting with the aid of binders, e.g. pretreated binders with organic binders with wax, e.g. paraffin wax
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
    • C10L5/00—Solid fuels
    • C10L5/02—Solid fuels such as briquettes consisting mainly of carbonaceous materials of mineral or non-mineral origin
    • C10L5/06—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting
    • C10L5/10—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting with the aid of binders, e.g. pretreated binders
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
    • C10L5/00—Solid fuels
    • C10L5/02—Solid fuels such as briquettes consisting mainly of carbonaceous materials of mineral or non-mineral origin
    • C10L5/34—Other details of the shaped fuels, e.g. briquettes
    • C10L5/36—Shape
    • C10L5/365—Logs
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
    • C10L5/00—Solid fuels
    • C10L5/40—Solid fuels essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin
    • C10L5/44—Solid fuels essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin on vegetable substances
    • C10L5/442—Wood or forestry waste
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
    • C10L5/00—Solid fuels
    • C10L5/40—Solid fuels essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin
    • C10L5/44—Solid fuels essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin on vegetable substances
    • C10L5/445—Agricultural waste, e.g. corn crops, grass clippings, nut shells or oil pressing residues
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
    • C10L5/00—Solid fuels
    • C10L5/40—Solid fuels essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin
    • C10L5/48—Solid fuels essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin on industrial residues and waste materials
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
    • C10L9/00—Treating solid fuels to improve their combustion
    • C10L9/08—Treating solid fuels to improve their combustion by heat treatments, e.g. calcining
    • C10L9/083—Torrefaction
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
    • C10L2200/00—Components of fuel compositions
    • C10L2200/04—Organic compounds
    • C10L2200/0461—Fractions defined by their origin
    • C10L2200/0469—Renewables or materials of biological origin
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
    • C10L5/00—Solid fuels
    • C10L5/02—Solid fuels such as briquettes consisting mainly of carbonaceous materials of mineral or non-mineral origin
    • C10L5/06—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting
    • C10L5/10—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting with the aid of binders, e.g. pretreated binders
    • C10L5/14—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting with the aid of binders, e.g. pretreated binders with organic binders
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
    • C10L5/00—Solid fuels
    • C10L5/02—Solid fuels such as briquettes consisting mainly of carbonaceous materials of mineral or non-mineral origin
    • C10L5/06—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting
    • C10L5/10—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting with the aid of binders, e.g. pretreated binders
    • C10L5/14—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting with the aid of binders, e.g. pretreated binders with organic binders
    • C10L5/143—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting with the aid of binders, e.g. pretreated binders with organic binders with lignin-containing products
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E50/00—Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin
    • Y02E50/10—Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E50/00—Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin
    • Y02E50/30—Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel

Definitions

  • the present application relates to a solid fuel composition, and in particular, to a solid fuel composition useful for manufacturing artificial firelogs and fire-starters.
  • the solid fuel composition comprises cellulosic materials treated with torrefaction and a binder.
  • Manufactured solid fuels in the form of firelogs have been used as an alternative to natural wood fires for decades. They offer users greater convenience in a number of ways. Since they are manufactured to have a higher energy density and flame output than natural wood, there is less material for the user to carry to their fireplace, and less need for the user to constantly stoke the fire. Similarly, there is less mess associated with manufactured firelogs than is the case with natural wood. Finally, manufactured firelogs generate less particulate emissions, sparks and ash than natural wood fires. Manufactured solid fuels in the form of fire-starters have also been used, in combination with natural wood, to facilitate the starting of the fire.
  • Firelogs are typically comprised of cellulosic materials, a volatile binder (wax, oil, fat, fatty acid, pitch, etc.) and may include a coking agent. Sometimes other additives are included to either modify the colour of the flame or to enhance the sound of the fire. In wood- based logs (a common type of firelog), wood typically accounts for 30-45% of the weight of the log and the volatile binder accounts for 55-65% of the weight of the log. In addition to serving as a binder, waxes, fats, fatty acids, pitches or other oil products are used as an ingredient in the production of fire logs for two reasons.
  • Volatile binders have higher energy density and thus enable the manufacture of a fuel product with greater heat output than would be the case with just the cellulosic material;
  • the amount of volatile binder in a fuel mixture is an important control variable of the mixture viscosity; the desired mixture viscosity is dependent on the type of extrusion process employed.
  • the current industry standard extrusion process for premium processed solid fuels is a low shear type extruder which requires a low viscosity mixture.
  • US Patent Number 4,326,854 and US Patent Number 8,007,550 disclose alternative binders to improve performance and/or reduce costs of processed solid fuels. Both teach the use of fatty acids and pitches to improve the properties of the binders and of the aggregate mixture.
  • US Patent Numbers 6,113,662, 5,910,454, and 8,123,824 disclose that the substitution of cellulosic materials with higher energy densities and higher volatiles/fixed carbon ratios, such as coffee grounds, in place of wood (or in addition to wood), enable the manufacture of an attractive firelog with less volatile binder.
  • the ability to manufacture an attractive firelog with less volatile binder is desirous for several reasons.
  • Volatile binders have numerous other, higher value uses and are typically more costly than cellulosic materials.
  • Torrefaction involves the heat treatment of cellulosic materials in a low oxygen environment, so as to bum off low quality volatiles and transform otherwise low energy generating biomass into a more energy-dense material. While the benefits of torrefaction for the development of an environmentally friendly alternative fuel have been previously recognized, the potential to adopt torrefaction technology in a composition for a manufactured solid fuel product, that meets a need for both flame output and energy output has not been realized.
  • Objects of the present application include providing a more cost-effective - in terms of both heat and flame output - manufactured solid fuel product.
  • Use of this technology will provide a use for low-value wood and other low-value cellulosic materials, thereby reducing environmental waste and generating alternative, environmentally friendly renewable resources.
  • a low cost processed solid burnable fuel composition comprising a torrefied cellulosic material and a binder.
  • the low cost processed solid burnable fuel composition comprises torrefied cellulosic material from 15% to 75% of the composition.
  • the low cost processed solid burnable fuel composition comprises binder from 25% to 50% of the composition.
  • a high flame output per dollar of input cost fuel composition which contains torrefied cellulosic material from 5% to 45% by weight of the composition.
  • the fuel composition contains a volatile binder from 50% to 65% by weight of the composition.
  • a high energy output which contains torrefied cellulosic material from 5% to 45% by weight of the composition.
  • the fuel composition contains a volatile binder from 55% to 65% by weight of the composition.
  • Figure 1 depicts the combustion rates of non-torrefied cellulosic material (wood sawdust) mixtures with wax binder (left panels) compared to torrefied cellulosic material mixtures with wax binder (right panels).
  • the present application discloses solid fuel compositions comprised of torrefied cellulosic material along with a binder.
  • Use of torrefied of cellulosic material (such as wood, leaves, grass, agriproducts), enables optimization of the composition in terms of the flame and/or heat output as well as the cost of manufactured solid fuel products such as firelogs and fire-starters.
  • use of torrefied cellulosic material provides a number of advantages in the manufacture of solid fuel products, including reduced storage costs and grinding costs.
  • use of torrefied cellulosic material offers environmental advantages, by providing a use for low-value wood that has few alternative uses.
  • Torrefaction involves the heat treatment of cellulosic materials in a low oxygen environment, so as to bum off low quality volatiles and transform otherwise low energy generating biomass into a more energy-dense material. While the benefits of torrefaction for the development of an environmentally friendly alternative fuel have been previously recognized, the potential to adopt torrefaction technology in a composition for a manufactured solid fuel product, that meets a need for both flame output and energy output has not been realized.
  • torrefaction of cellulosic material is achieved at different temperature ranges. These temperature ranges may be realized through use of a variety of torrefaction processes and/or a variety of reactor designs including rotary drum reactor, screw conveyor reactor, multiple hearth furnace, fluidized bed reactor, microwave reactor, compact moving bed, and oscillating belt conveyor. Further there are a number of innovative technologies in development such as torrefaction with thermal fluids and direct fired rotary kilns. All of these reactors have key process parameters that are used to control the torrefaction process to achieve specific degrees of torrefaction. Key process parameters other than temperature, as exemplified in the present application, include residence time, material particle size, flow rate and any other controlled process parameters specific to any one torrefaction process and/or torrefaction reactor.
  • samples of the torrefied material for use in obtaining solid fuel compositions of the present application were obtained from a direct fired rotary kiln reactor.
  • the parameter used to control the degree of torrefaction was temperature.
  • the residence time was approximately 30 minutes.
  • a skilled worker would readily realize these process parameters are easily modified to suit the desired level of torrefaction of cellulosic material.
  • varying degrees of torrefaction of cellulosic material is represented by the recited temperature ranges disclosed in the tables and Figure below. Generally, a low temperature range indicates a low degree of torrefaction and a high temperature range results in a cellulosic material with a higher degree of torrefied material.
  • the processed solid burnable fuel compositions in accordance with the present application involve the use of torrefied cellulosic material to achieve a number of advantages relative to existing compositions used by industry. Torrefied cellulosic materials have more energy per unit weight than non-torrefied cellulosic materials, making them an ideal substitute for wood.
  • torrefied cellulosic materials presents an opportunity to use "low-value" cellulosic materials that would otherwise go to waste.
  • low-value cellulosic material includes but is not limited to green wood, diseased wood, scrap wood products, contaminated wood and other wood products with undesirable properties.
  • torrefaction processes involve the use of machinery that is commonly available in farming communities across North America, the demand for torrefied low-value cellulosic products offers the additional advantage of providing a potential financial benefit to generators of low- value cellulosic waste and farmers with the appropriate machinery, thereby contributing to wealth and jobs at the local level.
  • the embodiments are disclosed in detail in below, each one enabling the targeting of a specific consumer preference.
  • the first embodiment addresses consumer preference for low cost manufactured solid fuel products that provide a reasonable flame and heat output, but are significantly less costly than other solid fuel products on the market, or other products possible with the use of non-torrefied cellulosic material.
  • Additional aspects of the application provide compositions that allow the manufacture of manufactured solid fuel products with a high flame-output per input cost and/or a high energy output (both in absolute terms and on a per input cost basis).
  • This lower cost fuel composition comprises a torrefied cellulosic material and a binder, and in some cases may include a non-torrefied cellulosic material and/or a coking agent that affords greater flame per dollar cost or greater heat output per dollar cost.
  • Table 1 presents a summary of the findings on impacts of different heating temperatures and torrefaction levels on the constituents of cellulosic materials (based on research primarily from Prins et. al. (2006), Dhungana (2011), Bergman (2005) and Basu (2010)), the relevance of the findings when torrefied product is used as a fuel, and the impact on the quality and cost of firelogs and fire-starters manufactured with cellulosic material which is treated with torrefaction.
  • the testing results disclosed in this Example as set out in each row of Table 1 are described as follows.
  • Torrefaction involves the heating of cellulosic materials in a low oxygen environment. Torrefaction normally involves heating at temperatures between 200°C and 300°C. However, in a torrefaction process where the reactor is pressurized, at temperatures below 200°C - indeed for temperatures between 100°C and 200°C, benefits associated with torrefaction occur, as H 2 0 and other trapped gases (C0 2 , CO) are released. Torrefaction at this temperature enables the release of smoke-causing volatiles with small heating values, such as acetic acid and furfurals. The result is that the torrefied material has a higher energy density and will produce less smoke than non-torrefied cellulosic material.
  • the hemicellulose begins to depolymerise, and some devolatilization and depolymerisation of the lignin and cellulose occurs.
  • the amorphous nature of hemicellulose in combination with lignin act as a flexible binder to hold the microfibrils together.
  • the combination of these components provide the micro and macro level structural integrity to wood.
  • the decomposition of the hemicellulose and limited lignin decomposition makes the wood more brittle. This means that it is easier to grind torrefied cellulosic material, thereby decreasing the grinding costs associated with preparing the material for use in a firelog.
  • the increased brittleness means that a processed solid fuel mixture would have less elasticity and therefore require less force during the extrusion of a firelog or similar processed solid fuel product.
  • the torrefied cellulosic material is more brittle and less elastic, less volatile binder is necessary to achieve the optimal mixture viscosity for efficient extrusion.
  • Temperature constituents of is used as a fuel of firelogs manufactured with cellulosic torrefied cellulosic materials materials
  • lignin act as a flexible binder to hold lower manufacturing costs due to depolymerization the microfibrils together.
  • cellulose provide the micro and macro level - Extrusion force required is structural integrity to wood.
  • the ratio of volatiles to fixed - Softer, less expensive binders carbonization of carbon declines may be used as the ratio of lignin lignin and - Relative content of lignin higher in to total remaining volatiles is cellulose remaining volatiles higher
  • processed fuel logs as non- permeable packaging is no longer required to protect against moisture
  • torrefied materials as described in the present application, pertain to the wide range of cellulosic materials typically considered for inclusion in solid fuel products.
  • the advantages offered by torrefied fuels are further amplified when costs are taken into account. For example, in the case of wood, wood sawdust is typically more expensive per pound than torrefied wood, as torrefied wood uses green wood which is unprocessed and has few (if any) alternative uses.
  • Table 3 includes some results of fuel composition burn tests made with wood torrefied at 240°C and where the wax content was held at 50%. It is apparent from these results that inch-seconds of flame output and inch-seconds of flame output per unit cost of mixture are maximized when an approximately equal combination of wood and torrefied wood are used together. However, the heat energy per unit cost is maximized when more torrefied wood is used.
  • Table 3 only shows a higher inch-second/$ values when torrefied wood comprises 25-30% of the mixture, the actual cost-savings benefit of using torrefied wood is even greater. This is because the samples above all assume a fixed amount of wax and no use of a coking agent. However, for any level of cellulosic material, a mixture using non-torrefied cellulosic material would require more binder and/or more coking agent than a mixture using only torrefied cellulosic material, in order to have the mixture hold together while burning and to be able to extrude the mixture.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates that the non-torrefied wood sawdust mixtures with lower wax contents have a tendency to expand once the binder has softened and can no longer resist the bulk elastic expansion force of the wood sawdust.
  • the non-torrefied sample rapidly cracks during expansion thereby increasing the surface area to volume ratio of the fuel - resulting in an excessively high combustion rate.
  • coking agents are typically added to processed solid fuel mixtures made from (non-torrefied) cellulosic materials and wax.
  • Coking agents may be any coking agent typically used in solid fuels, including but not limited to, a starch, molasses, a sugar, black liquor, or other coking agents or combinations thereof.
  • the coking additives are typically more costly than cellulosic materials.
  • the non-torrefied version will require more coking agent than the torrefied one, and thus the cost-benefit of using torrefied wood is amplified further relative to that shown in Table 3 above.
  • the flame output measured in terms of inch-seconds, per unit cost of mixture, is substantially higher for wood torrefied at 190°C (5,918), wood torrefied at 240°C (6,007) and wood Torrefied at 251°C (5,879) than non-torrefied wood (5,383).
  • torrefied cellulosic materials vary according to the torrefaction level.
  • the greater the torrefaction level the greater the densification of the energy in the cellulosic materials.
  • Table 4 the highest torrefaction temperature results in the highest heat energy per unit cost advantage relative to wood (19%).
  • the higher the torrefaction level the lower the volatiles/fixed carbon ratio. While these volatiles contribute less energy per unit weight than the fixed carbon, they do contribute to a higher flame output.
  • Table 4 illustrates, the mixture that is based on wood that was torrefied at 240°C generates an estimated 12% higher inch-second flame output per unit cost of mixture relative to wood.
  • torrefied cellulosic material allows the manufacturer to achieve greater performance-cost efficiencies than the use of untreated cellulosic materials.
  • the use of torrefied cellulosic materials can be used to generate a mixture that offers 12% higher inch-second flame output per unit cost of mixture relative to non-torrefied wood or a 19% higher energy per unit cost relative to non-torrefied wood.
  • These cost efficiencies are in excess of the cost savings that would be achievable due to: a) the lower storage costs as a result of the hydrophobicity of the wood and b) the lower grinding energy costs due to the more brittle nature of the torrefied cellulosic materials.
  • Many different embodiments of the fuel composition disclosed herein can be produced according to consumer preferences.
  • a fuel composition comprising a torrefied cellulosic material and a binder wherein the torrefied cellulosic material is from about 15% to about 75% of the composition and the binder is from about 25% to about 50% of the composition.
  • a coking agent would not be required.
  • a liquid coking agent, or any other liquid, including water is provided, where the liquid accounts for up to about 5% of the weight of the total mixture.
  • Non-torrefied cellulosic material may be included up to 35% by weight. This is the embodiment that would benefit best from maximum torrefaction (one example is between 250°C and 300°C). This level of torrefaction results in the elimination of more volatiles, and a more energy dense product, more decomposition of the hemicellulose to enable easy grinding and greater hydrophobicity to minimize storage costs, but more loss of volatiles that contribute to a high flame output per unit weight of mixture, then would be the case with either other embodiments.
  • a fuel composition comprising torrefied cellulosic material from about 5% to about 45% by weight of the composition and binder from about 50% to about 65% by weight of the composition.
  • one embodiment would be a firelog with more volatiles, either through the use of a less torrefied product, or through the combined use of torrefied and non-torrefied products along with a significant amount of volatile binder.
  • the preferred constituent makeup would be about 50% to about 65% wax, about 5% to about 45% torrefied cellulosic material, about 1% to about 10% coking agent and the balance (as little as about 5% and as much as about 45%) non-torrefied cellulosic material.
  • the wood should ideally be torrefied at temperatures between about 190°C and about 250°C. This level of torrefaction results in the elimination of the lower quality volatiles to give a more energy dense product, partial decomposition of the hemicellulose to enable easy grinding and some hydrophobicity to minimize storage costs, but minimizes the loss of the volatiles that contribute to a high flame output per unit weight, in the present case pound, of mixture. Such embodiments can provide a high flame output per unit cost.
  • Table 5 provides examples of the various potential constituent components of the solid fuel based compositions and the associated outcomes and advantages of each composition.
  • compositions that have a cost per pound that is in the bottom 35 percentile are shaded.
  • compositions that are in the top 35 percentile within each measured parameter depicted in each column are shaded.
  • torrefied cellulosic materials While specific embodiments are described above using current cost estimates, it is important to note that alternative permutations can be used and still leverage the benefits of using torrefied cellulosic materials. This would be particularly true if the cost of torrefied cellulosic material varied by torrefaction level. For example, if higher levels of torrefaction become more expensive relative to lower levels of torrefaction, it can be more advantageous to use wood that has been torrefied at lower temperatures to achieve the lowest cost product. Alternatively, if higher levels of torrefaction become less expensive relative to lower levels of torrefaction, it can be more advantageous to use wood torrefied at higher temperatures to achieve the best flame output per unit cost or the best energy output per unit cost.

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  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
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Abstract

La présente invention concerne des compositions de combustible solide comprenant une substance cellulosique torréfiée et un liant. L'utilisation d'une substance cellulosique torréfiée (telle que du bois, des feuilles, de l'herbe, des produits agricoles, ou autre substance cellulosique) permet à une composition préférée d'optimiser les performances - en termes de puissance de flamme et/ou calorifique ainsi que de coût - de produits combustibles solides manufacturés, tels que des bûches et des allume-feu. En outre, l'utilisation d'une substance cellulosique torréfiée fournit un certain nombre d'avantages dans la fabrication de produits combustibles solides, notamment des coûts de stockage et de broyage réduits. En plus de permettre la fabrication de produits combustibles solides plus économiques, l'utilisation d'une substance cellulosique torréfiée offre des avantages environnementaux, en permettant d'utiliser du bois de faible valeur qui a peu d'autres utilisations.
PCT/CA2014/050775 2013-08-16 2014-08-15 Composition de combustible solide à base de biomasse torréfiée WO2015021556A1 (fr)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002090472A1 (fr) * 2001-05-03 2002-11-14 Duraflame, Inc. Buche artificielle contenant des additifs de bicarbonate de soude
GB2448531A (en) * 2007-04-19 2008-10-22 Coal Products Ltd Fuel briquette
WO2011094403A1 (fr) * 2010-01-27 2011-08-04 University Of Maine System Board Of Trustees Pastilles de combustible, briquettes et bûches combustibles
WO2012106721A1 (fr) * 2011-02-04 2012-08-09 Mississippi State University Procédés pour la production de liants et de matériaux composites combustibles et compositions produites à partir de ceux-ci

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002090472A1 (fr) * 2001-05-03 2002-11-14 Duraflame, Inc. Buche artificielle contenant des additifs de bicarbonate de soude
GB2448531A (en) * 2007-04-19 2008-10-22 Coal Products Ltd Fuel briquette
WO2011094403A1 (fr) * 2010-01-27 2011-08-04 University Of Maine System Board Of Trustees Pastilles de combustible, briquettes et bûches combustibles
WO2012106721A1 (fr) * 2011-02-04 2012-08-09 Mississippi State University Procédés pour la production de liants et de matériaux composites combustibles et compositions produites à partir de ceux-ci

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