Life Cycle Assessment of Torrefied Residual Biomass Co-Firing in Coal-Fired Power Plants: Aspects of Carbon Dioxide Emission

This study investigates the carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emission characteristics of using torrefied biomass (residual wood and wood chip) as co-firing materials in coal-fired power plants, based on life cycle assessment techniques. We quantify the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation pote...

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Main Authors: Kyungil Cho, Yongwoon Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/6165
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author Kyungil Cho
Yongwoon Lee
author_facet Kyungil Cho
Yongwoon Lee
author_sort Kyungil Cho
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emission characteristics of using torrefied biomass (residual wood and wood chip) as co-firing materials in coal-fired power plants, based on life cycle assessment techniques. We quantify the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of substituting coal with biomass under different torrefaction temperatures, biomass types, and co-firing ratios. Results indicate that higher co-firing ratios significantly reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. Torrefaction at 270 °C was identified as optimal, balancing high energy yield and minimized emissions, while 310 °C torrefaction showed limited mitigation benefits due to lower mass yields and higher carbon content. Pelletization and torrefaction enhanced biomass properties, but the energy intensity of these processes affected the overall emission balance. This study underscores the potential of biomass to replace imported coal and contribute to carbon neutrality, while highlighting the importance of optimizing biomass processing conditions. Future work should focus on refining torrefaction parameters and assessing other biomass characteristics to enhance operational efficiency in coal-fired power plants.
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spelling doaj-art-0dc2fdb6da3740b5b9e17fc966d3d25f2025-08-20T01:55:34ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732024-12-011723616510.3390/en17236165Life Cycle Assessment of Torrefied Residual Biomass Co-Firing in Coal-Fired Power Plants: Aspects of Carbon Dioxide EmissionKyungil Cho0Yongwoon Lee1Research Institute of Sustainable Development Technology, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Cheonan 30156, Republic of KoreaResearch Institute of Sustainable Development Technology, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Cheonan 30156, Republic of KoreaThis study investigates the carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emission characteristics of using torrefied biomass (residual wood and wood chip) as co-firing materials in coal-fired power plants, based on life cycle assessment techniques. We quantify the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of substituting coal with biomass under different torrefaction temperatures, biomass types, and co-firing ratios. Results indicate that higher co-firing ratios significantly reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. Torrefaction at 270 °C was identified as optimal, balancing high energy yield and minimized emissions, while 310 °C torrefaction showed limited mitigation benefits due to lower mass yields and higher carbon content. Pelletization and torrefaction enhanced biomass properties, but the energy intensity of these processes affected the overall emission balance. This study underscores the potential of biomass to replace imported coal and contribute to carbon neutrality, while highlighting the importance of optimizing biomass processing conditions. Future work should focus on refining torrefaction parameters and assessing other biomass characteristics to enhance operational efficiency in coal-fired power plants.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/6165greenhouse gas emissionlife cycle assessmentbiomasstorrefactionco-firing
spellingShingle Kyungil Cho
Yongwoon Lee
Life Cycle Assessment of Torrefied Residual Biomass Co-Firing in Coal-Fired Power Plants: Aspects of Carbon Dioxide Emission
Energies
greenhouse gas emission
life cycle assessment
biomass
torrefaction
co-firing
title Life Cycle Assessment of Torrefied Residual Biomass Co-Firing in Coal-Fired Power Plants: Aspects of Carbon Dioxide Emission
title_full Life Cycle Assessment of Torrefied Residual Biomass Co-Firing in Coal-Fired Power Plants: Aspects of Carbon Dioxide Emission
title_fullStr Life Cycle Assessment of Torrefied Residual Biomass Co-Firing in Coal-Fired Power Plants: Aspects of Carbon Dioxide Emission
title_full_unstemmed Life Cycle Assessment of Torrefied Residual Biomass Co-Firing in Coal-Fired Power Plants: Aspects of Carbon Dioxide Emission
title_short Life Cycle Assessment of Torrefied Residual Biomass Co-Firing in Coal-Fired Power Plants: Aspects of Carbon Dioxide Emission
title_sort life cycle assessment of torrefied residual biomass co firing in coal fired power plants aspects of carbon dioxide emission
topic greenhouse gas emission
life cycle assessment
biomass
torrefaction
co-firing
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/6165
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AT yongwoonlee lifecycleassessmentoftorrefiedresidualbiomasscofiringincoalfiredpowerplantsaspectsofcarbondioxideemission