Design and construction of a cooler for torrefaction system integrated with solar concentrator
Project no. 600 · Status: Kapanmış · 2016
Summary
Torrefied biomass is produced from biomass by using a thermal process (torrefaction) carried out in the temperature range of 200-300°C and in inert atmosphere. Today, it is used as intermediate product for other thermal processes or an alternative fuel to lignite. In order to protect the properties of torrefied biomass, the hot product should be properly cooled before contacting with air and then stored. A cooler should be used after the reactor in order to separate from liquid from torrefied biomass at the temperature of 300°C, to avoid catching fire on contact with air, and to prevent keeping moisture. In this project, a cooler was constructed to solve the problems in the continuous torrefaction system integrated with solar energy. Broiler litter torrefied at the optimum torrefaction condition was used as a raw material to test the cooler performance. The effects of residence time, nitrogen flow rate, and frequency of mixing motor to moisture content and outlet temperature of product was analysed and optimised by using response surface methodology. While the nitrogen flow rate was playing a more prominent role, the torrefied litter was cooled up to 35°C through the constructed-unit and it had the moisture content of 2.81% was produced. Hence, the characterization of product has been upgraded to international standards, and the alternative fuel that can be safely stored in outdoor condition has been produced.