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Abstract
The effect of torrefaction of pine chips prior to its gasification was studied by measuring changes in yields, efficiency, and tar production during gasification. Feed rates decreased with increased torrefaction treatment compared to dried pine (from around 9 to 5kg hr-1) with an exception of torrefaction at 250C for 30 minutes (10.12kg hr-1). Syngas yield averaged 2.8Nm3 kg-1 with an exception of 300C for 60 minutes (5.15Nm3 kg-1). Increased torrefaction treatment impacted syngas composition yield by reducing carbon dioxide (around 10 to 4mol- %) and carbon monoxide (around 25 to 10mol- %) concentrations. Observed cold gas efficiency ranged between 40 and 90%. Tar concentration in syngas reduced with increased torrefaction treatment (around 0.8 to 0.1g Nm-3) satisfying Dunns method of statistical significance (P<0.05). Increased gasification temperature decreased tar concentration in dried pine chips from 0.9160.139 (749.51C), to 0.8260.038 (786.41C), and 0.2950.018 g Nm-3(793.07C).