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The relationship between mineral contents, particle matter and bottom ash distribution during pellet combustion: molar balance and chemometric analysis

  • Process Engineering for Pollution Control and Waste Minimization
  • Published:
  • volume 24, pages 9927–9939 (2017)
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Abstract

This paper aims to identify the correlation between the mineral contents in agropellets and particle matter and bottom ash characteristics during combustion in domestic boilers. Four agrifood residues with higher mineral contents, namely grape marc (GM), tomato waste (TW), exhausted olive mill solid waste (EOMSW) and olive mill wastewater (OMWW), were selected. Then, seven different pellets were produced from pure residues or their mixture and blending with sawdust. The physico-chemical properties of the produced pellets were analysed using different analytical techniques, and a particular attention was paid to their mineral contents. Combustion tests were performed in 12-kW domestic boiler. The particle matter (PM) emission was characterised through the particle number and mass quantification for different particle size. The bottom ash composition and size distribution were also characterised. Molar balance and chemometric analyses were performed to identify the correlation between the mineral contents and PM and bottom ash characteristics. The performed analyses indicate that K, Na, S and Cl are released partially or completely during combustion tests. In contrast, Ca, Mg, Si, P, Al, Fe and Mn are retained in the bottom ash. The chemometric analyses indicate that, in addition to the operating conditions and the pellet ash contents, K and Si concentrations have a significant effect on the PM emissions as well as on the agglomeration of bottom ash.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université de Strasbourg, Université de Haute-Alsace, Institut de Science des Matériaux de Mulhouse, UMR CNRS 7361, 3 Bis Rue Alfred Werner, 68093, Mulhouse, France

    Mejdi Jeguirim, Nesrine Kraiem, Laure Michelin, Ludovic Josien & Lionel Limousy

  2. UR Etude des Milieux Ionisés et Réactifs, IPEIM, Avenue Ibn El Jazzar, 5019, Monastir, Tunisie

    Marzouk Lajili

  3. University of Grenoble Alpes, LGP2, Grenoble, 38000, France

    Chamseddine Guizani

  4. Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Environmental Conservation and Management, 2252, Latsia, Nicosia, Cyprus

    Antonis Zorpas

  5. Laboratoire Vigne Biotechnologie et Environnement, Biopole Colmar, 68000, Colmar, France

    Yann Leva

Authors
  1. Mejdi Jeguirim
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  2. Nesrine Kraiem
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  3. Marzouk Lajili
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  4. Chamseddine Guizani
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  5. Antonis Zorpas
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  6. Yann Leva
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  7. Laure Michelin
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  8. Ludovic Josien
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  9. Lionel Limousy
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Correspondence to Lionel Limousy.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Jeguirim, M., Kraiem, N., Lajili, M. et al. The relationship between mineral contents, particle matter and bottom ash distribution during pellet combustion: molar balance and chemometric analysis. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 9927–9939 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8781-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8781-3

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