Executive Summary : | The World Energy Council predicts that India's universal energy demand will reach its highest in 2030 due to increasing per capita consumption. Coal, the country's primary source of electricity generation, contributes to around 6.65 of global carbon emissions. To meet this demand, India must shift to renewable energy sources, such as biomass, which offers a variety of fuels and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Agro-residues in India contain high concentrations of alkali metals, which can cause ash-related problems and damage superheaters. A pilot-scale hydrodynamic cavitation-assisted process is proposed to remove these metals and improve the upgradation of biomass. This method can modify the physio-chemical properties, moisture, ash, composition, ultimate analysis, and grindability of biomass, enhancing fuel properties and reducing fouling slagging. The proposed process also offers dual treatments for leaching alkalis, chlorine, and sulfur, and upgradation of biomass. |