Identifying fuel characteristics of bamboo chips as a solid biofuel through torrefaction

Abstract

Our goal was to explore the potential of bamboo as a solid biomass fuel through torrefaction and compare it with previous studies on unused forest biomass chips. The torrefaction process involved temperatures of 230–310 °C increased in 20 °C intervals, each lasting an hour. Significant differences in mass were evident between the 270 and 290 °C processing conditions during thermogravimetric analysis. Differential thermogravimetric analysis showed that both the initial and peak temperatures increased with higher processing temperatures. The mass yield ranged from 32.37 to 76.74%, and the calorific value varied from 19.50 MJ/kg to 28.68 MJ/kg. Compared to previous studies on the torrefaction of Liriodendron tulipifera and Pinus koraiensis, bamboo exhibited a relatively lower mass yield and calorific value; however, it was considered suitable compared to unused forest biomass wood chips. The optimal conditions for torrefaction were found to be 270 °C during processing.