Combustion of Agricultural Biomass - Issues and Solutions

Abstract

SummaryBiomass is one of the oldest energy source known to mankind. Progress made so far in understanding of a rather complex direct combustion process allowed for a constant technology development. Increasingly stringent environmental requirements of the EU, especially in terms of the pollutant emissions, require development of new design solutions of the combustion system for residential hot water boilers fuelled by some form of solid biomass. The emissions are becoming even greater problem if, various residues from agricultural production are used instead of a wooden biomass, as they are becoming more desirable fuel due to their lower cost.In this paper, various issues related to the combustion of agricultural biomass are discussed. Attention is given to the problems associated with high volatile matter contents, presence of nitrogen, sulphur, chlorine and low ash melting temperatures. At the end, novel design modifications of a conventional residential biomass combustion system are proposed, as the well-known methodologies for combustion and emissions control applied in industrialscale boilers are in most cases not suitable for small-scale units.

Selection criteria of appropriate bamboo based biomass for thermochemical conversion process

“…Higher ash content leads to reactor slagging, corrosion in heat exchangers and hot gas ducts, poisoning of downstream catalysts or formation of toxic polychlorinated dioxins or furans at unsuitable combustion conditions. Alkali salts become volatile at temperatures greater than 650°C; deposition of alkali chlorides, hydroxides or low melting eutectics can cause serious corrosion and plugging of pipes [9]. During thermochemical conversion processes viz.…”

“…The syngas produced from gasification of biomass is used for generation of electricity along with the production of byproducts (methanol and hydrogen) which are used as fuels for transportation and other purposes. Pyrolysis is the thermo-chemical process in which solid biomass is converted into bio-oil, char, and gas in absence of oxygen [9]. These thermochemical conversion processes are dependent on the quality of the biomass [10].…”

Evaluation of the Bioenergy Potential of Temer Musa: An Invasive Tree from the African Desert

“…Small pieces (∼1 g) of temer musa were combusted in a furnace at about 500°C. e furnace temperature was increased from 25°C to 500°C with a rate of 10°C/minas, and most of the dioxins and dioxin-related compounds are formed below 500°C temperature in the combustion zone [23]. ree gas sensors of Dräger X-am 5000 (sensor A detecting nitric oxide (NO), ammonia (NH 3 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ); sensor B detecting phosphine (PH 3 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), and carbon monoxide (CO); sensor C detecting nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and chlorine (Cl 2 )) were used to measure the output gases simultaneously.…”

Waste Natural Polymers as Potential Fillers for Biodegradable Latex-Based Composites: A Review

“…In order to deal with this problem, recycling and reusing this waste is more important. Agricultural waste is used as feedstock, biochemicals, biomaterials and also as fuel to produce heat and electricity [ 14 ]. However, due to poor fuel properties, the usage of agro waste as fuel is still minimal.…”