Torrefaction and gasification of biomass for polygeneration: Production of biochar and producer gas at low load conditions

In this paper, a matter of biomass torrefaction and gasification is closely looked at from different points of view during low load and low equivalence ratio regime, defined as λ=0.08. Considering gas production, the hot gas efficiency of conversion (30%) and its energy content (4.14 MJ m−3) were not quite satisfying, however, this matter of fact was compensated by an interesting yield of biochar. This material was generated in 0.387 and 0.314 rates for torrefaction and torrefaction + gasification processes, respectively, which, in both cases, represents an attractive, alternative approach to the functional energy storage. It was determined that a CO2 offset of 721 kg and 660 kg could be achieved per 1 tonne of woodchips for gasification of raw woodchips and a 2-stage process with torrefaction and gasification, respectively. The measured data from both technological complexes were compared with the computational model, applying equilibrium reactions for gas components determination. In addition, the question of tar compounds contained within the producer gas, is investigated through GC–MS analysis on both qualitative and quantitative basis