Journal of Energy Bioscience 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 197-207 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 197 Feature Review Open Access Application and Optimization of Thermochemical Conversion Methods for Energy Utilization of Forestry Waste Wenying Hong Biomass Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resouces, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: wenying.hong@hitar.org Journal of Energy Bioscience, 2024, Vol.15, No.3 doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0019 Received: 01 May., 2024 Accepted: 03 Jun., 2024 Published: 17 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Hong, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Hong W.Y., 2024, Application and optimization of thermochemical conversion methods for energy utilization of forestry waste, Journal of Energy Bioscience, 15(3): 197-207 (doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0019) Abstract Forest waste, as a rich renewable resource, holds immense energy potential. The importance of thermochemical conversion methods in energy utilization is increasingly evident, as converting biomass into high-energy-density fuels can effectively address energy shortages and environmental pollution. Thermochemical conversion mainly includes three methods: pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion. This study provides a detailed discussion on the mechanisms, process conditions, and optimization strategies of these three thermochemical conversion methods. By comparing these methods, we evaluate their energy efficiency, economic feasibility, and environmental impact, and explore the suitability of different types of forest waste. Additionally, case studies are presented to demonstrate successful implementation examples of thermochemical conversion projects using forest waste, analyzing process parameters, outcomes, and lessons learned. This research aims to provide systematic theoretical guidance and practical application schemes for optimizing the thermochemical conversion process of forest waste, thereby playing a positive role in promoting renewable energy utilization, improving waste management, and reducing environmental pollution. Keywords Forestry waste; Thermochemical conversion; Combustion; Renewable energy; Environment 1 Introduction Forestry waste, which includes residues from logging, wood processing, and forest management activities, represents a significant and underutilized biomass resource. The increasing volume of forestry waste poses environmental challenges, but it also offers a substantial opportunity for energy production. Utilizing forestry waste for energy can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to sustainable forest management practices. The global production of agricultural and forestry wastes (AFWs) is immense, and their conversion into biofuels and chemicals can play a crucial role in the circular economy by transforming waste into valuable resources (Song et al., 2020). Thermochemical conversion methods, such as pyrolysis, gasification, and liquefaction, are pivotal in transforming forestry waste into energy-rich products like bio-oil, syngas, and biochar. These methods leverage high temperatures and chemical reactions to break down complex organic materials into simpler, energy-dense compounds. Thermochemical processes are advantageous due to their ability to handle diverse biomass feedstocks and produce a range of valuable outputs. For instance, thermocatalytic reforming (TCR) has been shown to convert biomass waste into syngas, bio-oil, and biochar, with significant environmental and economic benefits (Moreno et al., 2019). Additionally, the integration of advanced analytical techniques, such as TG-FTIR, enhances the efficiency and optimization of these conversion processes (Ong et al., 2020). This study summarizes the most advanced thermochemical conversion technologies and their applicability to forestry waste, evaluates the environmental and economic sustainability of these conversion processes, identifies key challenges and future research directions to optimize thermochemical conversion methods to maximize energy recovery and minimize environmental impact. By synthesizing recent research findings, this study will highlight the potential of thermochemical conversion methods to transform forestry waste into valuable energy resources, thereby contributing to sustainable energy solutions and forest management practices.
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