Torrefaction of eucalyptus wood chips for energy purposes

• Main Author: Pereira, Matheus Perdigão de Castro Freitas
• Publication Date: 2016
• Other Authors: Costa, Emylle Veloso Santos, Corradi Pereira, Bárbara Luísa, Carvalho, Ana Márcia Macedo Ladeira, Oliveira Carneiro, Angélica de Cássia, Costa, Aylson
• Format: Article
• Language: por
• Source: Pesquisa Florestal Brasileira (Online)
• Download full: https://pfb.cnpf.embrapa.br/pfb/index.php/pfb/article/view/1093
• topic: Biomass; Thermal treatment; Wood chips

Torrefaction also known as pre-carbonization is heat treatment at low temperatures (200 ºC to 300 °C), applied to lignocellulosic materials with the aim of improving their energetic properties. We developed this study to evaluate the effect of torrefaction temperature on properties of eucalyptus chips. Using a furnace, the eucalyptus chips underwent four heat treatments at temperatures of 150 ºC, 200 ºC, 250 ºC and 300 °C, for ten min. Physical and chemical analyzes of torrefied and in natura chips were carried out. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and when established significant differences, applied Tukey test at 95% significance. Increasing roasting temperature showed higher lignin content and fixed carbon, less equilibrium moisture content, higher calorific upper, lower content of volatiles and lower mass yield. It is recommended roasting at 250 °C temperature, since chips torrefied under this condition presented better results, with energy density of 4,004 MJ m-3.