LAUSR

Torrefaction is a method for upgrading raw biomass to produce solid fuels that exhibit higher energy density relative to that of the raw material. In countries that produce significant amounts of agricultural residues, torrefaction may facilitate the utilization of waste in the energy sector by adding value to the raw fuel and opening pathways for new applications. In typical scenarios for utilization as fuel, both the raw and torrefied materials are stored in granular form. Dependent upon the properties of the granular material, the risk of dust explosion may be significant. Torrefaction changes the physical and chemical properties of the biomass and, therefore, affect explosion risk and severity. This work investigates the dust explosion characteristics of raw and torrefied agricultural wastes typically produced in Central European countries. The objective is to provide a characterization of these fuels in terms of explosion properties and make recommendations on storage design and safety. Three residue...