Characterization of the wood combustion process based on the TG analysis, numerical modelling and measurements performed on the experimental stand

Abstract

The paper presents selected results of thermogravimetric (TG) analyses for softwood (pine) and hardwood (beech). The composition of the studied fuels has been defined and described. Both wood types used in the TG tests were studied in order to define their content of basic components such as lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. Types of wood used in the TGA have been combusted on the experimental stand which is equipped with a set of temperature sensors and an exhaust analyser. A comparison of the TG analysis and the combustion in the heating unit has been performed to find relations between the kinetics of devolatilisation for different wood species and to determine the exhaust composition. Numerical modelling using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been performed for the process of carbon monoxide oxidation to supplement the tests results. The results of the comparisons of the performed analyses can be useful in all areas related to the process of optimisation and improvement of combustion, pyrolysis and devolatilisation process conditions in small scale heating units.