Co-firing based on biomass torrefaction in a pulverized coal boiler with aim of 100% fuel switching

► Torrefaction based co-firing system was proposed. ► The kinetics of torrefied biomass has been investigated experimentally. ► The performances of co-firing with varying biomass substitutions have been studied. ► No obvious reduction of boiler load was found when 100% coal switched to biomass. ► Net CO2 and NOx emissions reduced with increasing of biomass substitutions.