Design and Development of IoT-Based Controller for a Continuous Torrefaction Process

Torrefaction technology is applicable to convert raw biomass to valuable product charcoal. Torrefaction is preheated treatment process held at 200–300 °C with a residence time of 20–30 min in an inert atmosphere. To run the torrefaction process smoothly and remotely control the process parameters temperature and oxygen-free environment in a torrefaction reactor, an IoT-based RPi system is the best suitable approach. The proposed technology is an IoT-based RPi temperature control system, which improves the torrefaction process and optimizes process parameters like heating rate, temperature, and mass flow rate and reduces residence time to increase the production rate and quality of produced charcoal. In this paper, a k-type thermocouple is used to maintain a constant temperature and control the motor using RPi module. An HTML web page is developed to monitor process parameters and remotely control the torrefaction process. A PID controller is used to reduce the temperature and oxygen sensor’s steady-state error and response time.