Experimental study of the viability of low-grade biofuels in small-scale appliances

Abstract

This experimental work aims to study the viability of making use of agricultural and forest residues as an alternative to produce biofuels for commercial devices. It focuses on the feasibility of three non-commercial biomass fuels in an underfed biomass pilot combustor with a power range of 7-12 kWth (500-800 kW/m2). To carry out the investigation, the repeatability of the facility was studied using fuel with a high ash content. The relative deviations in the main parameters considered (combustion rate, gaseous emissions and particulate matter emissions) were below 10%. A feasibility analysis was performed by comparing the result obtained with a barley and leaf pellet with that obtained with a commercial wood pellet as a reference. The parameters used in this study were the operational parameters of the plant as well as the particle concentration and distribution, fouling and slagging. Comparing the results of the different fuels, it was determined that 25% leaf + 75% wood pellet (lp25) could be used as a commercial pellet with the incorporation of an additive. However, the two other fuels presented undesirable behavior characterized by high particle concentrations and notable amounts of slag.