ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the application of lignocellulosic biomass to replace coal in power plants where biomass is combusted to produce electricity. It presents useful biomass drying analyses for research purposes. The chapter presents more extensive information on drying of pulverized/ground biomass particles as an essential pre-treatment for a combustion process. It covers the fundamentals and applicable methodologies for the drying of pulverized/ground biomass particles. A major application of lignocellulosic biomass in a thermochemical conversion process is combustion to generate electricity, steam, and heat. Wood, with fuel characteristics of low ash and low sulfur content compared to agricultural residues, allows a direct comparison with fossil fuel and provides a good heating performance at a cost that is typically lower than that of heating oil. The literature shows that the conversion rate and efficiency of the biomass in the combustion process strongly depend on the local temperature inside the biomass particles.
