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Influence of biomass on coal combustion based on thermogravimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

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Abstract

The blending of coal with biomass can lead to synergistic combustion behaviors. The combustion profile of two biomass sources, two coals and subsequent blends was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Ignition and burnout performances were identified and calculated from thermal curves. The comprehensive combustion performance index S was calculated from the thermogravimetric curves. CO2 and CO concentrations were also studied via on-line analysis of TG–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that complicated chemical processes took place when coal was combusted with biomass, as compared with coal or biomass only. The lower ignition temperatures and higher volatility of biomass significantly improve the combustion behavior of coal. However, when biomass content in the blends exceeded 10 %, ignition and burnout performances were minimally affected. The combustion index S appears to give a more comprehensive description of the combustion process. The results from CO/CO2 ratio also support the combustion behavior for the blending of coal and biomass. For this study, the addition of 10 % of biomass would be the optimum recommended combustion ratios for coal and biomass blends.

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Acknowledgements

This research was partially supported by the 111 Project (B12034), and the technical support from Institute for Combustion Science and Environmental Technology in Western Kentucky University was gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Condition Monitoring and Control for Power Plant Equipment, Ministry of Education, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, People’s Republic of China

    Zhao Liu, Wenhan Li, Yongsheng Zhang, Jiawei Wang & Wei-Ping Pan

  2. Institute of Combustion Science and Environmental Technology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, 42101, USA

    William Orndorff & Wei-Ping Pan

Authors
  1. Zhao Liu
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  2. Wenhan Li
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  3. Yongsheng Zhang
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Correspondence to Zhao Liu.

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Liu, Z., Li, W., Zhang, Y. et al. Influence of biomass on coal combustion based on thermogravimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. J Therm Anal Calorim 122, 1289–1298 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-015-4841-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-015-4841-4

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