EFFECT OF TORREFACTION TREATMENT IN ENERGY CONTENT ENHANCEMENT OF SOLID FUEL PROPERTIES FROM TEAK BIOMASS WASTE

Torrefaction of biomass produces high-grade solid biofuel from woody biomass or agricultural waste, resulting in high-quality solid biofuel. The study aims to enhance the energy content and efficiency of solid biofuel from waste teak biomass, addressing global energy needs and sustainable alternatives. A 60.8-liter reactor carbonized 5 kg of biomass per batch at 350°C and 400°C, with 40 minutes and 1 hour of residence time. Torrefied biomass was collected and characterized for energy content. Increases in torrefied temperature (TT) and residence time (RT) lead to a significant increase of 15 – 50 % in total carbon content while decreasing hydrogen, oxygen, and moisture content compared to untreated biomass. The study reveals that the energy yield of torrefied biomass is higher than its mass yield and that increasing TT leads to an increase in its bulk density content. The study found that torrefied products had heating values up to 70% higher than unprocessed biomass and a maximum calorific value of around 30 MJ/kg. This research suggests that the solid fuel produced could potentially reduce the release of pollutants into the atmosphere compared to fossil fuels. The biomass teak sample under examination has shown significant potential for efficient energy generation and combustion applications.