Emission Assessment of Agro-Waste Combustion

Abstract

Biomass can be used to meet energy needs for electricity generation, residential and commercial buildings' heating, industrial process heating, transportation, etc. Future of bioenergy sector depends on the availability of biomass resources and development in conversion technologies. Fluidized bed combustion is a favorable technology for biomass combustion due its fuel flexible feature and enhanced combustion efficiency. In this study, the atmospheric emissions from fluidized bed combustion of agricultural residues such as wheat straw, corn stalk, rice husk, almond shell, walnut shell and sugarcane bagasse were estimated for 1 MW thermal energy production by using a mathematical combustion model. CO2 emissions from biomass can be regarded as zero due to the carbon neutral nature of biomass. Almond shell and sugarcane bagasse has shown the lowest SO2 and NOx emissions. Sugarcane bagasse has shown lower corrosion risk compared to the biomass types examined in this study. Performance and operation of biomass combustion can be enhanced by addition of limestone and additives for sulfur capturing and reducing the risk for ash related problems, respectively.