Norwegian researchers improve waste wood torrefaction

In Norway, a SINTEF project led by senior scientist Øyvind Skreiberg is transforming the chopped-off branches and tops of felled spruce trees into a fine powder that is then pressed into high-energy pellets. This contains about 70% of the original mass, while keeping 90% of its energy. On its way through the highly insulated steel cylinders of the laboratory rig, the raw material has been heated to 275C. The heat treatment has broken down the fibrous structure of the biomass.