(64a) Evaluation of Combustion Properties of Corn Stover-Derived Solid and Liquid Biofuels By Cone Calorimeter

This study investigated the combustion properties hydrothermally treated corn stover-derived solid and liquid biofuels using cone calorimeter. Hydrothermal treatments were performed at 200-350 °C for 30 min, where solid hydrochar was produced at lower treatment temperature and liquid biofuel was produced at higher treatment temperature. In order to test their combustion properties, six different heat fluxes (5-50 kW/m²) were applied to biofuels to determine critical heat flux (CHF), ignition temperature, thermal response, peak heat release rate (pHRR), thermal hazard risk, and combustion efficiency. Results show that increasing the hydrothermal treatment temperature decreased the CHF and ignition temperature but increased the thermal resistivity. Increasing the heat flux decreased the thermal resistivity and ignition time of all the biofuels. Thermal hazard analysis indicated that the biofuels posed lower thermal risk than raw corn stover. Overall, hydrothermal treatment forms biofuel which are less flammable, more stable, and a lower thermally risk material for piloted ignition than raw corn stover.

Keywords: Corn stover; Biofuel; Cone calorimeter; Critical heat flux; Peak heat release rate;