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Exploring fluidized bed technology for biocarbon production with mitigation of ash-forming elements
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Energy Science.
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Energy Science.ORCID iD: 0009-0005-0010-2351
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Energy Science.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2319-0906
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Energy Science.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6081-5736
2025 (English)In: Fuel, ISSN 0016-2361, E-ISSN 1873-7153, article id 134949Article in journal (Refereed) In press
Abstract [en]

Biocarbon is a potential alternative to fossil coal use in the industrial sector. Fluidized-bed technology, known for its exceptional thermal mixing and reactor integration capabilities, holds promise for large-scale biocarbon production. However, the successful implementation of this technology requires overcoming technical challenges such as high concentrations of potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) in forest-based biocarbon, which can limit its applicability in certain industrial processes.

The objective of this study was to identify the potential effects of biomass-bed material interactions that can affect the presence of these ash-forming elements in the resulting biocarbon. Laboratory-scale fluidized bed experiments were conducted in a weakly oxidizing atmosphere (86.2 % vol N2, 10 % vol CO2, and 3.8 % O2) at various temperatures and residence times. Pine bark, which is a low-cost Ca-K-rich biomass with a minor amount of P, was used as raw biomass. The experimental results were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and thermodynamic equilibrium calculations (TECs), providing insights into the ash transformation process. Resulting biocarbon had a high carbon content (75–90 wt% d.b.), with mass yields ranging from 13 to 30 wt%. The K retention in the biocarbon after 400 s of conversion was between 67 % and 44 % at a bed temperature of 550–900 °C, whereas the P retention was between 58 % and 43 %. The results suggested that additional inorganic removal mechanisms, different from K and P volatilization, are present in fluidized bed reactors compared to other commercial pyrolysis technologies. This highlights fluidized bed reactors (FBRs) as a promising alternative for producing biocarbon with lower K and P levels. The findings of this study contribute to the development of the design and operational criteria for fluidized beds used in biocarbon production. In addition, the results strongly indicate that the interaction between the ash-forming elements and bed materials begins before the raw material fractions are completely converted, and further investigation is recommended.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier Ltd , 2025. article id 134949
Keywords [en]
Biocarbon, Fluidized bed, Ash-forming elements
National Category
Bioenergy
Research subject
Energy Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-112189DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.134949Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105000032680OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-112189DiVA, id: diva2:1948948
Funder
Swedish Energy Agency, P2022-00212
Note

Full text: CC BY license;

Available from: 2025-04-01 Created: 2025-04-01 Last updated: 2025-05-19
In thesis
1. Biocarbon Production in Fluidized Bed Reactors.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Biocarbon Production in Fluidized Bed Reactors.
2025 (English)Licentiate thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Alternative title[sv]
Biokolproduktion i fluidiserad bädd reaktörer
Abstract [en]

This work explores the production of biocarbon from forest biomass through pyrolysis in fluidized bed reactors, emphasizing the relationship between the operating conditions, ash behavior, and physicochemical properties of the resulting solid biocarbon. Fluidized-bed reactors offer distinct advantages for biocarbon production, including efficient thermal transfer, isothermal operation, and scalability. These characteristics make them particularly suitable for integration into existing energy infrastructure. A key strategy investigated in this work is the use of a weakly oxidizing atmosphere composed of recycled flue gases from combustion processes as the fluidization medium. This approach enables heat integration with fluidized bed boilers and reduces the need for external inert gases, thereby lowering the operational costs and improving the overall energy efficiency and circularity of the system. The impact of this atmosphere on biocarbon yield and composition was studied in detail, particularly in terms of its influence on ash-forming element behavior. Special attention is given to the transformation and retention of inorganic elements, such as potassium and phosphorus, which affect the suitability of biocarbon for industrial applications. The experimental and modeling results show that fluidized bed conditions favor the selective removal or redistribution of these elements. Analytical techniques including Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and thermodynamic equilibrium calculations (TECs) were used to assess the mechanisms of ash transformation. In parallel, the evolution of particle properties such as size, density, porosity, and surface area was evaluated under different conversion regimes. Structural degradation owing to attrition and fragmentation was found to play a significant role in carbon retention and fine generation. The elutriated fines, enriched in inorganic content, were also characterized and presented opportunities for valorization in applications, such as soil amendment. Overall, these findings support the development of integrated and sustainable fluidized bed systems for biocarbon production, offering practical pathways to reduce fossil carbon use and improve the resource efficiency of biomass valorization processes. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Luleå: Luleå University of Technology, 2025. p. 30
Series
Licentiate thesis / Luleå University of Technology, ISSN 1402-1757
National Category
Energy Engineering
Research subject
Energy Engineering
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-112720 (URN)978-91-8048-843-3 (ISBN)978-91-8048-844-0 (ISBN)
Presentation
2025-09-26, E632, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, 09:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2025-05-20 Created: 2025-05-19 Last updated: 2025-05-20Bibliographically approved

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Arango Durango, EduardoPachchigar, SamarthkumarÖhman, MarcusUmeki, Kentaro

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