Torrefaction Strategy Will be Key for Bioenergy

Torrefaction is the process of roasting biomass to remove moisture content and increase its energy density. Torrefied mass is often referred to as "bio-coal."

Torrefied Biomass facts and properties:

- Hydrophobic nature: the material does not regain humidity in storage and therefore unlike wood and charcoal, it is stable and with well defined composition.

- Lower moisture content and higher calorific values as compared to unprocessed Biomass.

- Exhausts less emissions when ignited in end user applications and can be produced in a desired shape and form.

- Higher density and similar mechanical strength compared to the initial Biomass.

- Suitable for various applications as a fuel - in the steel industry, combustion, and gasification.

- Torrefied products can substitute charcoal in a number of applications such as fuel for domestic cooking stoves or residential heating.

- Raw material for manufacture of improved solid fuel products such as fuel pellets, compacted fireplace logs and barbecue briquettes for commercial and domestic uses. Torrefied briquettes have superior combustion characteristic as compared with ordinary briquettes.

- Fuel for industrial uses. Important advantage of Torrefied wood compared to wood is its uniformity. It is as a predictable, flexible fuel with optimum combustion and transport economies. Due to the low moisture content of Torrefied wood, the transport cost is lower and the quality as a fuel better. It is easily packaged and transported thru traditional mechanisms, and thus constitutes an efficient fuel. _Bioenergy

Torrefaction is just one of many methods of densifying biomass for more efficient transport, storage, and utilisation.