Industrially, many solid wastes can be classified as biomass and their usage reduces disposal costs. In this work, seven wastes from textile and food industries were characterized chemically and physically and the gaseous emissions resulting from the combustion of three of them (textile residues 3, TR3; coffee grounds; and a mixture of meat processing industry wastewater sludge and saw dust (1:9) in weight, SS1) in a pilot scale cyclone type combustor were measured. Their potential for utilization as energy sources was assessed by comparing the emissions to current legislation. Chemical properties showed that the volatile matter values of all biomass were high, which indicate that the solids burn rapidly. Some biomass presented high levels of sulfur and consequently high levels of SO2 emission when burned. The lower heating values ranged from 6.44 MJ kg−1 (dry and ash free, daf) to 22.93 MJ kg−1 (daf) and thermogravimetric analysis of the biomasses showed ignition temperatures and maximum burning rates, which were compared with other papers’ data. Four combustion tests were carried out in a cyclone type combustor and CO, CO2, NOx, CxHy, and SO2 were measured. Moisture content and particulate matter were also measured during the combustion tests and showed effective combustion conditions. Volatile organic compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and their content values were expressed as total organic carbon (TOC), being all TOC emissions below the limits imposed by the regulations taken as reference. Gaseous emissions were compared with limits imposed by Brazilian and international current legislations, what showed that the usage of these biomasses as energy sources is possible; however, gas treatment would be required, especially if the solid presents high levels of sulfur and chlorine.

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Biomass is currently used as an alternative energy source in some industries. Due to problems with disposal of wastes, using biomass as an energy source is economically and environmentally attractive. In this work seven wastes from textile and food industry were characterized and their gaseous emissions resulting from their combustion in a pilot unit were measured. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the usage of industrial wastes as an energy source taking into account their composition and gaseous emissions when submitted to combustion tests. Gaseous emissions were compared to limits imposed by Brazilian and international current legislations. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) were analyzed by GC-MS and their content values were expressed as total organic carbon (TOC). Four combustion tests were carried out in a cyclone combustor and all TOC emissions were below regulations limits. CO, CO2, NOx, CxHy and SO2 were also measured. Chemical properties showed that the volatile matter values of all biomass were high what indicate that the solids burn rapidly and some biomass presented high levels of sulphur and consequently high levels of emission of SO2 when burned. The lower heating values ranged from 14.22 to 22.93 MJ.kg−1. Moisture content and particulate matter (PM) were measured during the combustion tests and showed effective combustion conditions. Thermogravimetric analysis of the biomasses showed ignition temperatures and maximum burning rate which were compared to other papers data. The usage of these biomasses as an energy source is possible however gas treatment would be required specially if the solid presents high levels of sulphur and chlorine.