Innovative Bio-char Briquetting from Corn Residue Using Torrefaction Process

Each year, millions of tons of corn are harvested from the farm fields. Their residues, e.g. stems/leaves and husks, are left in the field, while the empty cobs are processed at the mills and the byproduct is inefficiently used as low-grade fuel. The stems/leaves and husks are not used as fuel because of their poor fuel quality and because they are difficult to handle. Innovative bio-char briquetting from corn residues to improve their fuel properties has been proposed using the torrefaction process. The temperature and retention time for this process affects properties of the empty cobs, stems/leaves, and husks from the residual corn, which helps to improve their heating value and changes the volatile matter and fixed carbon proportion in the fuel. All of the torrefied corn residues is hydrophobic, which has less ability to absorb water due to the change in pore structure. The biochar from the corn residual can be used as premium feedstock for heating purposes with high heating value and low smoke.