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The promising properties of torrefied biomass provide a valid co-firing option for large percentage biomass utilization in existing coal-fired boilers. Torrefied biomass is expected to have a better combustion stability than raw biomass and similar to that of coal. The present work will characterizes the oxidation properties of torrefied biomass char and compare with that of raw biomass char. The studied two chars are produced from raw and torrefied biomass in an Isothermal Plug Flow Reactor (IPFR) at high temperature and high heating rate, a sufficient residence time is applied for the completion of the high temperature devolatilization. Char oxidation tests are carried out in the IPFR by varying temperature, oxygen concentration and residence time. The reactivity of two studied chars are analyzed and compared with referenced biomass char and coal char, and the impact of torrefaction on char reactivity is also discussed in this paper. Finally, the char oxidation kinetic parameters are determined using a parameter optimization method, and the obtained kinetics are examined by comparing the experimental and predicted mass conversions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] CaO shows a good capacity of CO2 adsorption at devolatilization stage of MSW. [•] CaO acted as a catalyst both in MSW devolatilization and char steam gasification. [•] Good dispersion and mobility of calcium in char were observed. [•] Catalytic mechanism during devolatilization and char gasification were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Experiments on gasification of chars obtained from original and pulverised wood pellets were conducted in atmosphere of water steam and nitrogen under temperatures of 800, 900 and 950°C. Molar flow rates of carbon containing product gases were measured and approximated using different models with respect to extents of carbon conversion in char of the pellets. Comparison of the random pore, grain and volumetric models revealed the best applicability for approximations of the random pore model. Apparent activation energies obtained as a result of application of the models to the data from experiments with char of original pellets were higher in comparison to those of pulverised pellets, except for a grain model. Approximations under 800°C showed relatively big deviations from experimental data on the beginning of char gasification. This is attributed to catalytic effects from alkali metals in the pellets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]