Effect of coal and biomass co-combustion on the concentrations of selected gaseous pollutants

Abstract

One of the main environmental problems is the protection of atmospheric air from pollution, which is a result of increase the cover needs of the energy. This problem is particularly important in Poland, where the heat market is one of the largest in Europe and is based in 75% on the use of fossil fuels. The amount of fuel, its type and quality directly affect boiler operation, heat generation capacity, combustion process and thus emissions. The change of the pollutant emission factor also results in a variable load on the boiler room dependent on external conditions. Reduction of emissions pollutants in the energy production process is possible, for example, by increasing the share of renewable fuels in the overall energy balance. One of the possibilities to increase the share of these fuels in the energy sector is co-firing hard coal and biomass. The paper presents results of measurement of concentrations of selected air pollutants in the exhaust gases from co-firing of hard coal and biomassin the form woodchips coming from furniture companies. Based on experimental research, has been created statistical models on the influence of co-combustion of hard coal and biomass in WR water boilers during unstable conditions on the concentration of selected gaseous pollutants.