Torrefaction is a thermochemical treatment of biomass at 200 to 320 °C (392 to 608ºF). It is carried out under atmospheric pressure and in the absence of oxygen, i.e. with no air. During the torrefaction process, the water contained in the biomass as well as superfluous volatiles are released, and the biopolymers (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) partly decompose, giving off various types of volatiles that are captured by superfine filters. The final product is the remaining solid, dry, blackened material that is referred to as torrefied biomass or bio-coal. It repels water and thus can be stored in moist air or rain without appreciable change in moisture content or heating value, unlike the original biomass from which it is made. These are the perfect properties for a renewable and sustainable fuel.
We purchase agricultural waste and by-products from farmers in Nampula Province in Northern Mozambique and convert to energy pellets. In this way we stop the wholesale burning of this waste thus reducing CO2 emissions as well as providing much needed extra income to some of the poorest citizens of Mozambique
- Mozambique Renewables has signed a legally binding MOU with a cotton co=operative to have exclusive rights to purchase their waste cotton stems from 110,000 ha under cultivation.
- Anticipated yield is around half a million tons of biomass per annum.
Mozambique Renewables has been awarded a DUAT (land lease) of 3000 hectares of 'heavily modified' land near the village of Micolene (population.3000) and a mere 35km from the deep water port of Nacala, to establish an elephant grass plantation. The project will provide:
- out-grower opportunity for more than 600 families,
- 60,000 T of non-woody biomass
- the opportunity for the 'heavily modified' land to recover from the effects of traditional slash and burn farming. Elephant grass roots will stop erosion and re-fix the soil with nitrogen so after 10-15 years the land can be rotated to food production.
What is Torrefaction?