Development and Validation of Mass Reduction Prediction Model and Analysis of Fuel Properties for Agro-Byproduct Torrefaction

Global warming is accelerating due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Accordingly, research on the use of biomass as energy sources, is being actively conducted worldwide to reduce CO2 emissions. Although the production of agro-byproducts is vast, their utilization for energy production has not been fully investigated. This study suggests an optimal torrefaction process condition for agro-byproducts, such as grape branch and perilla, that have moisture content but low calorific values. To determine whether these agro-byproducts can be used for energy sources as substituents of fossil fuels, a mass reduction model was established and validated via experimental results. Thermogravimetric analysis was conducted for different heating rates, and the activation energy and frequency factor were derived through the analysis. The model was developed by changes in rate constants, moisture content, ash content, and lignocellulose content in biomass. To ascertain the optimal torrefaction conditions, fuel characteristic analysis and changes in energy yield of torrefied grape branch and perilla were investigated. The optimal torrefaction conditions for grape branch and perilla were 200 °C for 40 min and 230 °C for 30 min, respectively. The comparison result of the experiment and simulation at the optimum conditions of mass reduction were 1.42%p and 1.51%p, and 15 °C/min and 7.5 °C/min at heating rate, respectively.

Energy and resource recovery from Tetra Pak waste using hydrothermal treatment

In this study, Tetra Brik from Tetra Pak Company was used to produce solid fuel. Tetra Brik consists of paper, LDPE, and Aluminum arranged in 6 different layers. Aluminum should be recovered to obtain high-quality solid fuel. Hydrothermal treatment was used to separate aluminum from the solid fuel. Temperature and time were controlled and observed to get the best result. The temperature was varied between 200 °C and 240 °C, while time was ranged from 0 and 60 minutes. The result showed that composite of aluminum and LDPE was formed in the process, and full separation occurred in the experiment other than 200 °C in 0 minutes. Ultimate and Proximate analysis were done to understand solid fuel characteristic. As the temperature and time got higher, the calorific value also increase.

Generation of a global fuel data set using the Fuel Characteristic Classification System

This study presents the methods for the generation of the first global fuel data set, containing all the parameters required to be input in the Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS). The data set was developed from different spatial variables, both based on satellite Earth observation products and fuel databases, and is comprised by a global fuelbed map and a database that includes the parameters of each fuelbed that affect fire behavior and effects. A total of 274 fuelbeds were created and parameterized, and can be input into FCCS to obtain fire potentials, surface fire behavior and carbon biomass for each fuelbed. We present a first assessment of the fuel data set by comparing the carbon biomass obtained from our FCCS fuelbeds with the average biome values of four other regional or global biomass products. The results showed a good agreement both in terms of geographical distribution and biomass loads when compared to other biomass data, with the best results found for tropical and boreal forests (Spearman's coefficient of 0.79 and 0.77). This global fuel data set may be used for a varied range of applications, including fire danger assessment, fire behavior estimations, fuel consumption calculations and emissions inventories.

Generation of a global fuel dataset using the Fuel Characteristic Classification System

This study presents the methods for the generation of the first global fuel dataset, containing all the parameters required to be input in the Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS). The dataset was developed from different spatial variables, both based on satellite Earth observation products and fuel databases, and is comprised by a global fuelbed map and a database that includes the parameters of each fuelbed that affect fire behavior and effects. A total of 274 fuelbeds were created and parameterized, and can be input into FCCS to obtain fire potentials, surface fire behavior and carbon biomass for each fuelbed. To assess the results, FCCS was used to calculate the carbon biomass of each fuelbed, and the results were compared to the values obtained for four other regional or global biomass products. The results showed reasonable agreement both in terms of geographical distribution and biomass loads when compared to other biomass data, with the best results found for Tropical and Boreal forests (Spearman's coefficient of 0.79 and 0.77). This global fuel dataset could be used for a varied range of applications, including fire danger assessment, fire behavior estimations, fuel consumption calculations and emissions inventories.

Cartografía de combustible y potenciales de incendio en el Continente Africano utilizando FCCS

<span lang="ES-TRAD">Este trabajo presenta la metodología utilizada para el desarrollo de un mapa de combustibles para el Continente Africano, utilizando el Sistema FCCS (Fuel Characteristic Classification System). La cartografía de los perfiles de combustible se basó en el uso de información cartográfica global obtenida mediante teledetección, y las variables asociadas se extrajeron de bases de datos de vegetación existentes. Se generaron un total de 75 perfiles de combustible, y a partir de las variables asignadas a cada uno se calcularon distintos Potenciales de Incendio utilizando valores de variables ambientales estándar. </span><span lang="ES-TRAD">Estos potenciales permiten estimar el comportamiento del fuego de superficies, el fuego de copas, y la cantidad de combustible disponible, en función de las características de la vegetación existente.</span>