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Article
Torrefaction of Sewage Sludge: Kinetics and Fuel Properties of Biochars
Energies
  • Jakub Pulka, Poznan University of Life Sciences
  • Piotr Manczarski, Warsaw University of Technology
  • Jacek A. Koziel, Iowa State University
  • Andrzej Białowiec, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
1-1-2019
DOI
10.3390/en12030565
Abstract

We propose a ‘Waste to Carbon’ thermal transformation of sewage sludge (SS) via torrefaction to a valuable product (fuel) with a high content of carbon. One important, technological aspect to develop this concept is the determination of activation energy needed for torrefaction. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the kinetics of SS torrefaction and determine the effects of process temperature on fuel properties of torrefied products (biochars). Torrefaction was performed using high ash content SS at six (200~300 °C) temperatures and 60 min residence (process) time. Mass loss during torrefaction ranged from 10~20%. The resulting activation energy for SS torrefaction was ~12.007 kJ·mol−1. Initial (unprocessed) SS higher heating value (HHV) was 13.5 MJ·kg−1. However, the increase of torrefaction temperature decreased HHV from 13.4 to 3.8 MJ·kg−1. Elemental analysis showed a significant decrease of the H/C ratio that occurred during torrefaction, while the O/C ratio fluctuated with much smaller differences. Although the activation energy was significantly lower compared with lignocellulosic materials, low-temperature SS torrefaction technology could be explored for further SS stabilization and utilization (e.g., dewatering and hygienization).

Comments

This article is published as Pulka, Jakub; Manczarski, Piotr; Koziel, Jacek A.; Białowiec, Andrzej. "Torrefaction of Sewage Sludge: Kinetics and Fuel Properties of Biochars." Energies 12, no. 3 (2019): 565. DOI: 10.3390/en12030565. Posted with permission.

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Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Copyright Owner
The Authors
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Jakub Pulka, Piotr Manczarski, Jacek A. Koziel and Andrzej Białowiec. "Torrefaction of Sewage Sludge: Kinetics and Fuel Properties of Biochars" Energies Vol. 12 Iss. 3 (2019) p. 565
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jacek_koziel/248/