Proceedings of the 1st International Symposium on African Sustainable Energy Solutions (AfrSusEnS 2024)

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Modelling and Simulation Techniques for Biomass Valorization through Torrefaction: A Review with Emphasis on Botswana’s Biomass Challenges

Authors
M. Mulewa1, G. Danha1, *, N. Othusitse1, T. A. Mamvura1
1Department of Chemical, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Plot 10071, Boseja Ward, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana
*Corresponding author. Email: danhag@biust.ac.bw
Corresponding Author
G. Danha
Available Online 22 July 2025.
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-797-7_14How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Prosopis Mesquite; Botswana; Biomass valorisation; Torrefaction; Modelling; Simulation; Sustainable Energy
Abstract

This study investigates torrefaction as a biomass valorization approach and its potential to offer green solutions, and studies Prosopis mesquite, an invasive species that has caused ecological and socio-economic problems in Botswana. The reason torrefaction is considered good is because it can turn biomass into high energy potential material while at the same time dealing with bush encroachment which is a huge problem for biodiversity, groundwater resources and rangeland productivity. Still, there are few comparative studies addressing analytical methods such as TGA and MATLAB, to predict the torrefaction behaviour and properties of Prosopis mesquite-derived products. To fill this gap, this study will use thermodynamic, kinetic and machine learning models through a modelling and simulation study to understand the decomposition behaviour of Prosopis mesquite, the properties of the torrefied products and their potential benefits to society and the economy. By using local resources to address environmental issues and advance socio-economic development in rural areas, the study conforms with Botswana’s national vision. It offers a workable path for biomass valorization in Botswana and other areas with similar difficulties and a model that can be duplicated for torrefaction unit setup.

Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 1st International Symposium on African Sustainable Energy Solutions (AfrSusEnS 2024)
Series
Advances in Engineering Research
Publication Date
22 July 2025
ISBN
978-94-6463-797-7
ISSN
2352-5401
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-797-7_14How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - M. Mulewa
AU  - G. Danha
AU  - N. Othusitse
AU  - T. A. Mamvura
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/07/22
TI  - Modelling and Simulation Techniques for Biomass Valorization through Torrefaction: A Review with Emphasis on Botswana’s Biomass Challenges
BT  - Proceedings of the 1st International Symposium on African Sustainable Energy Solutions (AfrSusEnS 2024)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 98
EP  - 104
SN  - 2352-5401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-797-7_14
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-797-7_14
ID  - Mulewa2025
ER  -