Biomass Gasification, Pyrolysis and Torrefaction: Practical Design and Theory (Second Edition)

Biomass Gasification, Pyrolysis, and Torrefaction

Descripción

The art of energy conversion of biomass is as old as our natural habitat. Such processes have been at work since the early days of vegetation on this planet. Flame leaping from forest fire is an example of “flaming pyrolysis.” Trace of blue flame in a swamp is an example of methane gas formation through decomposition of biomass and its subsequent combustion in contact with air. Burning vegetation on ground to increase soil fertility is an example of biochar production. Human beings, however, learned to harness these processes much later. Use of biomass for energy, though nearly as ancient as human civilization, did not rise at the same pace with industrialization because of the abundant supply and low prices of oil and natural gas. Only in the recent past has there been an upsurge in interest in biomass energy conversion, fueled by several factors: ? Interest in the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of energy production ? Push for independence from the less reliable supply and fluctuating prices of oil and gas ? Interest in renewable and locally available energy sources ? Rise in the price of oil and natural gas. Several excellent books on coal gasification are available, but a limited few are available about biomass gasification and pyrolysis, and none on torrefaction. A large body of peer-reviewed literature on biomass gasification, pyrolysis, and torrefaction is available; some recent books on energy also include brief discussions on these topics. For example the previous edition (Biomass Gasification and Pyrolysis) of this book along with its Chinese and Italian versions presents a good treatment of these topics. There is yet a dearth of comprehensive publications specifically on torrefaction. For this reason, the previous book was revised and expanded with several new chapters on such new topics to develop the monograph. Engineers, scientists, and operating personnel of biomass gasification, pyrolysis, or torrefaction plants clearly need such information from a single easy-to-access source. Better comprehension of the basics of biomass conversion could help an operator understand the workings of such plants, a design engineer to size the conversion reactors, and a planner to evaluate different conversion options. The present book was written to fill this important need. It attempts to mold available research results in an easy-to-use design methodology whenever possible. Additionally, it brings into focus new advanced processes such as supercritical water gasification and torrefaction of biomass

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