Wood briquette torrefaction

Several torrefaction experiments using wood briquettes are reported in this paper. The torrefied briquettes weight yield lies between 43 and 94 %, and energy yields ranged from 50 to 97 % depending on the operating parameters. After torrefaction the briquettes showed an increase of approximately 15 % in heating value, and a decrease of approximately 73 % in equilibrium moisture. It was shown that torrefied briquettes achieved hydrophobic character and remained unaffected when immersed in water. This research also provides information on proximate and elemental analysis, showing that temperature has more influence than residence time. The aforementioned data indicate that torrefaction is a feasible alternative to improve energy properties of ordinary briquettes and prevent moisture absorption during storage.