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Efficient Utilization of Thermal Energy: Advanced Biomass Combustion Technologies
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Efficient Utilization of Thermal Energy: Advanced Biomass Combustion Technologies

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A4: Bio-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (27 November 2024) | Viewed by 7840

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Dariusz Kardaś

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Robert Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, 80-231 Gdańsk, Poland
Interests: combustion; thermodynamics; pyrolysis; high temperature heat exchangers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Burning biomass was the first technology that centuries ago became the basis for the development of civilization, including metallurgy and chemistry. Biomass combustion technology contributed to population growth, as it provided a large amount of energy for space heating. From the end of the 18th century, the place of biomass was taken by coal, which was later replaced by crude oil and gas. It is thanks to their extraction that the last two centuries have seen an extremely dynamic development of economy and industry worldwide. However, the widespread use of fossil fuels also comes at a price, that is, environmental changes. Recent years have seen attempts to limit the use of fossil fuels and, at the same time, extremely dynamic development in wind and solar energy. Devices for harvesting these two types of energy have become an inherent element of the modern landscape and a synonym for modern and environmentally friendly technology. Although biomass can be stored, unlike solar and wind energy, and although its resources are large and it is burned all over the world, it is not associated with modern renewable energy. The combustion of biomass is an extremely complicated process in which the phenomena of energy transport depend on chemical phenomena, and boilers together with fuel feeding systems, burners, scrapers, heat exchangers, filters and control systems are complex and advanced devices. Despite this, biomass combustion devices are associated with old and traditional technology. This is probably because they are basically a source of traditional heating and, to a very small extent, they serve the modern cogeneration of electricity and heat. It is the combined heat and power generation that has the potential to become an impulse for the development of biomass combustion. For this to happen, biomass combustion technology must solve several key problems, including dust emission, contamination of the heat transfer surface and a relatively long time to service devices using this type of fuel.
As biomass is very diverse, the development of new advanced biomass combustion systems is a task for many research and engineering teams from around the world. The topic of this Special Issue of Energies is addressed to all teams dealing with various issues in biomass combustion. The first goal of this Special Issue is to present the latest technological solutions related to biomass combustion, as well as methods for the analysis and modeling of physicochemical processes occurring at all stages. The second goal of this project is to support the development of biomass combustion techniques and to indicate the most optimal development directions, which will allow them to occupy a higher and more important place in the hierarchy of energy technologies.
The topics of research in this publication include, but are not limited to:

  • Design and operation issues of various burners;
  • Operation and design of boilers;
  • Boilers with a fixed grate;
  • Boilers with a movable grate;
  • Fluidized bed boilers;
  • Processes of the pyrolysis and gasification of biomass;
  • Boilers and heat exchangers for ORC;
  • Red-hot air biomass furnace;
  • Burning of biomass particles;
  • Combustion of biomass pyrolysis gas;
  • Deposition of dust on surfaces;
  • Formation and characteristics of ash;
  • Primary methods of reducing dust emissions during biomass combustion;
  • Filters and electrostatic precipitators in small biomass boilers;
  • Pelleting of biomass and pellet quality;
  • Biomass transport systems;
  • Study and modeling of pyrolysis, gasification and single-particle combustion issues;
  • Research and modeling of pyrolysis, gasification and combustion of biomass in the packed bed;
  • Energy potential of biomass.

Prof. Dr. Dariusz Kardaś
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 2859 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Primary and Secondary Emission Mitigation Measures for Small-Scale Wood Chip Combustion
by Christian Gollmer, Theresa Siegmund, Vanessa Weigel and Martin Kaltschmitt
Energies 2024, 17(17), 4403; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174403 - 3 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 962
Abstract
The objective of this study is to systematically investigate not only the influence of different additive types—beyond the much-considered case of aluminum-silicate-based additives—but also to carry out an additional comparison between primary and secondary emission mitigation measures during small-scale wood-chip combustion. Hence, combustion [...] Read more.
The objective of this study is to systematically investigate not only the influence of different additive types—beyond the much-considered case of aluminum-silicate-based additives—but also to carry out an additional comparison between primary and secondary emission mitigation measures during small-scale wood-chip combustion. Hence, combustion trials are realized within a 33-kW combustion plant. Pine wood chips additivated with 1.0 wt%a.r. of four additives have shown promising emission reduction effects in the past; namely kaolin (i.e., aluminum-silicate-based), anorthite (i.e., aluminum-silicate- and calcium-based), aluminum hydroxide (i.e., aluminum-based), and titanium dioxide (i.e., titanium-based). In addition to the primary mitigation measure (i.e., (fuel) additivation), an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) as a common secondary mitigation measure for total particulate matter (TPM) reduction is used for comparison. In addition to standard analyses (e.g., gravimetric determination of TPM emissions), an extended methodology (e.g., characterization of the elemental composition and ultrafine particle fraction of TPM emissions) is applied. The results show that the additivation of wood chips with kaolin and anorthite can lead to an operation of the combustion plant in compliance with the German legal TPM limit values by undercutting the absolute emission level achievable by the ESP. Additionally, kaolin and anorthite achieve significant reductions in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, while kaolin simultaneously, and similarly to ESP, also leads to a shift in the particle size number distribution of PM emissions towards coarser particles. All additives show a significant reduction of potassium (K) emissions by the formation of high-temperature stable K compounds in the resulting ashes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Utilization of Thermal Energy: Advanced Biomass Combustion Technologies)
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26 pages, 7166 KiB  
Article
Biomass Moving Bed Combustion Analysis via Two-Way Coupling of Solid–Fluid Interactions Using Discrete Element Method and Computational Fluid Dynamics Method
by Izabela Wardach-Świȩcicka and Dariusz Kardaś
Energies 2024, 17(14), 3571; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17143571 - 20 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1128
Abstract
Nowadays, almost all countries in the world are intensifying their search for locally available energy sources to become independent of external supplies. The production of alternative fuels from biomass and waste by thermal treatment or direct use in the combustion process is still [...] Read more.
Nowadays, almost all countries in the world are intensifying their search for locally available energy sources to become independent of external supplies. The production of alternative fuels from biomass and waste by thermal treatment or direct use in the combustion process is still the simplest method for fast and cheap heat production. However, the different characteristics of these fuels can cause problems in the operation of the plants, resulting in increased air pollution. Therefore, the analysis of the thermal treatment of solid fuels is still an important issue from a practical point of view. This work aimed to study biomass combustion in a small-scale reactor using the in-house Extended DEM (XDEM) method based on mixed Lagrangian–Eulerian approaches. This was provided by a novel, independently developed coupling computational interface. This interface allows for a seamless integration between CFD and DEM, improving computational efficiency and accuracy. In addition, significant advances have been made in the underlying physical models. Within the DEM framework, each particle undergoes the thermochemical processes, allowing for the prediction of its shape and structural changes during heating. Together, these changes contribute to a more robust and reliable simulation tool capable of providing detailed insights into complex multi-phase flows and granular material behavior. Numerical results were obtained for a non-typical geometry to check the influence of the walls on the distribution of the parameters in the reactor. The results show that XDEM is a very good tool for predicting the phenomena during the thermal treatment of solid fuels. In particular, it provides information about all the moving particles undergoing chemical reactions, which is very difficult to obtain from measurements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Utilization of Thermal Energy: Advanced Biomass Combustion Technologies)
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16 pages, 2225 KiB  
Article
Performance of Corn Cob Combustion in a Low-Temperature Fluidized Bed
by Rolandas Paulauskas, Marius Praspaliauskas, Ignas Ambrazevičius, Kęstutis Zakarauskas, Egidijus Lemanas, Justas Eimontas and Nerijus Striūgas
Energies 2024, 17(9), 2196; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092196 - 3 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1669
Abstract
This study investigates the combustion of agricultural biomass rich in alkali elements in the fluidized bed. The experiments were performed with smashed corn cob in a 500 kW fluidized bed combustor which was designed for work under low bed temperatures (650–700 °C). During [...] Read more.
This study investigates the combustion of agricultural biomass rich in alkali elements in the fluidized bed. The experiments were performed with smashed corn cob in a 500 kW fluidized bed combustor which was designed for work under low bed temperatures (650–700 °C). During the experiments, the formed compounds from corn cob combustion were measured by sampling particulate matter, and mineral compositions were determined. Also, the temperature profile of the FBC was established. It was determined that the emissions of K and Na elements from the FBC increased from 4 to 7.3% and from 1.69 to 3%, respectively, changing the bed temperature from 650 to 700 °C. Though alkali emissions are reduced at a 650 °C bed temperature, CO emissions are higher by about 50% compared to the case of 700 °C. The addition of 3% of dolomite reduced the pollutant emissions and alkali emissions as well. Potassium content decreased by about 1% and 4%, respectively, at the bed temperatures of 650 °C and 700 °C. The NOx emissions were less than 300 mg/m3 and did not exceed the limit for medium plants regarding DIRECTIVE (EU) 2015/2193. During extended experiments lasting 8 h, no agglomeration of the fluidized bed was observed. Moreover, the proposed configuration of the FBC and its operational parameters prove suitable for facilitating the efficient combustion of agricultural biomass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Utilization of Thermal Energy: Advanced Biomass Combustion Technologies)
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16 pages, 1963 KiB  
Article
Application of Near Infrared Spectroscopy for the Detection of Chemically Treated Pellets Unsuitable for Combustion
by Elena Leoni, Thomas Gasperini, Nicolò Di Marzio, Rodolfo Picchio, Giuseppe Toscano and Daniele Duca
Energies 2024, 17(4), 825; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17040825 - 9 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1312
Abstract
The relevant growth of the wood pellet market in Europe in the last decade led to an increased focus on solid biofuel as a necessary and available renewable resource for energy production. Among biofuels, wooden pellets are among the most widespread for domestic [...] Read more.
The relevant growth of the wood pellet market in Europe in the last decade led to an increased focus on solid biofuel as a necessary and available renewable resource for energy production. Among biofuels, wooden pellets are among the most widespread for domestic heating. Therefore, monitoring the qualitative properties of commercialized pellets is crucial in order to minimize the amount of harmful emissions in residential areas. Standard ISO 17225 sets threshold values for the chemical and physical properties that commercialized biofuels must fulfil. Specifically, ISO 17225-2 defines that pellets for residential use must be produced from virgin wood, but no method is proposed to assess the actual origin of the material, leading to the risk of the commercialization of pellets made up from chemically treated materials. This study proposes a model obtained via near infrared spectroscopy analyses and chemometrics methods, such as classification, to rapidly assess whether pellets are made up of virgin or chemically treated wood. The result suggests the effectiveness of NIRs for the detection of non-virgin pellets with an accuracy greater than 99%. Furthermore, the model appeared to be accurate in the assessment of both milled and intact pellets, making it a potential in-line instrument for assessments of pellets’ quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Utilization of Thermal Energy: Advanced Biomass Combustion Technologies)
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22 pages, 5389 KiB  
Article
Model of Residence Time Distribution, Degree of Mixing and Degree of Dispersion in the Biomass Transport Process on Various Grate Systems
by Tomasz Jaworski, Agata Wajda and Łukasz Kus
Energies 2023, 16(15), 5672; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16155672 - 28 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1947
Abstract
Biomass includes diverse raw materials of plant or animal origin that are biodegradable. It also constitutes a significant fraction of municipal waste burned in waste incineration plants. Grate technology is one of the more commonly used technologies in the thermal conversion of biomass. [...] Read more.
Biomass includes diverse raw materials of plant or animal origin that are biodegradable. It also constitutes a significant fraction of municipal waste burned in waste incineration plants. Grate technology is one of the more commonly used technologies in the thermal conversion of biomass. The mass transport of material on the grate is a complex issue. The article presents a model for determining selected mass flow parameters on the grate, primarily the distribution of residence time, degree of mixing, and dispersion. The model is a description of mechanical mass transport on the grates of thermal waste conversion devices and represents the kinetics of the processes occurring on the grate. It allows for the design of the details of the specific movement of the material particles on the grates depending on their size and density. In addition, experimental tests of flow parameters realized on a laboratory stand simulating the operation of the grate are presented. Tests were conducted on different types of grates and with selected types of biomass materials. They included variants of the operating parameters of the grates, such as the speed and pitch of the grates an their inclination, simultaneously with the fulfillment of the 1:1 scale condition of the size of the laboratory stand to the actual size of the industrial grate (its section). A general trend can be seen in the mean residence time of the material on the grate, which is higher in the case of a reciprocating grate. The degree of dispersion is mainly influenced for moving and reciprocating grates by the inclination angle of the grate. The analysis of the test results made it possible to clarify the mechanism of material mass transport on different types of grates. It is also proposed to use the results in modeling the process of biomass combustion in grate chambers as well as their design and operation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Utilization of Thermal Energy: Advanced Biomass Combustion Technologies)
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