Gross Calorific Value (GCV) for torrefied and non-torrefied biomass pellets:
GCV of Biomass Materials (Torrefied vs. Non-Torrefied)
| Biomass Material | GCV Non-Torrefied (kcal/kg) | GCV Torrefied (kcal/kg) | Factors Affecting GCV | Typical Uses |
| Wood Chips | 3800-4000 | 4200-4500 | Moisture content, wood species | Biomass power plants, residential heating |
| Sawdust | 3400-3600 | 4000-4300 | High moisture content reduces GCV | Biomass boilers, pellet production |
| Eucalyptus Bark | 4000-4200 | 4500-4800 | Resin and moisture levels | Industrial heating, co-firing |
| Alfalfa | 3200-3400 | 3600-3900 | High moisture and fiber content | Biomass plants, rural heating |
| Corn Cob | ≈ 4238 | 4500-5000 | Dry and dense, high energy output | Biomass power generation, co-firing |
| Rice Husk | 3300-3500 | 3800-4000 | High silica content | Biomass boilers, especially designed for high ash |
| Rice Straw | ≈ 3200 | 3600-4000 | High silica and ash content | Biomass plants designed for high ash content |
| Napier Grass | ≈ 3000-3200 | 3500-3800 | Moisture content, fibrous nature | Green energy production, pellet mills |
| Sugarcane Bagasse | 3200-3500 | 3800-4100 | Moisture and fiber content, residual sugars | Sugar mills, co-generation in power plants |
| Peanut Shell | ≈ 5119 | 5400-5900 | High oil content increases calorific value | Biomass boilers, energy-dense fuel additive |
| Sunflower Husk | 3200-3400 | 3600-3900 | High ash and fibrous content | Biomass boilers, agricultural waste energy |
| Bamboo | 4200-4500 | 4600-5000 | High lignin and cellulose content | High-grade fuel for pellet production |
| Bamboo Bark | 4000-4200 | 4400-4700 | Lower density than bamboo core | Pellet production, power generation |
| Press Mud | 2900-3100 | 3200-3500 | High moisture content, low density | Agricultural and rural heating, low-cost energy |
| Mustard Stalk | 3300-3500 | 3700-4000 | High cellulose content, moisture affects energy output | Biomass plants, co-firing with other biomass |
Key Takeaways:
- Torrefied Biomass consistently shows a 10-25% increase in GCV, improving energy efficiency.
- High-GCV Materials: Peanut shell and bamboo stand out for their high calorific values, making them excellent choices for high-efficiency biomass energy systems.
- Low-GCV Materials: Rice straw, press mud, and alfalfa have lower GCVs, suited for bulk energy production at lower costs or rural applications.
If you’d like to explore more materials or detailed properties, feel free to ask!