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Effect of additives on particulate matter formation of solid biofuel blends from wood and straw

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Abstract

The combustion of solid biofuels is characterized by the formation of particulate matter emissions harmful to humans and the environment. Inorganic elements which are volatile under high temperatures (∼600–1200 °C) are emitted as vapor, then cooling down in the flue gas, and are re-sublimated and emitted as solid particulate matter emissions (fly ash). Thus, the objective of this paper is it to summarize the current knowledge of the forming mechanism of these particulate matter emissions taking place during the combustion of wood and straw, and bring the elements in particulate matter with the help of additive in a stable solid phase, so they stay in the bottom ash and are not emitted. Here, two different additives are tested, based on Al, Mg and Ca. Important in this respect is the knowledge of the chemical formations during the combustion process of the different ash-forming elements contained within solid biofuels. Therefore, the chemical binding forms of the ash-forming elements (Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Mn, Na, K, P, S, and Cl) within the solid biofuel are presented. Based on this, possible conversion products are discussed including theoretical calculated intermediates; this includes the chemical conversion pathway. On this basis, additives are identified based on the difference of the elemental composition of wood/straw blends to wood and the results of the formation of particulate matter during combustion are assessed in lab scale. The additives are composed of Al2O3, CaHPO4, and CaCO3 or Al2O3, MgHPO4, and MgCO3. The results from the characterization techniques TGA, AAS, IC, and XRD show that the formation of particulate matter during a complete thermo-chemical conversion can be suppressed to certain extend.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Hamburg, Germany

    Isabel Höfer & Martin Kaltschmitt

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  1. Isabel Höfer
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  2. Martin Kaltschmitt
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Correspondence to Isabel Höfer.

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Highlights

• Summarizing of thermo-chemical intermediates and products of individual ash-forming elements during biomass combustion

• Calculation and analysis of additives for wood/straw blends (up to 20 wt.% straw)

• Two new additives based on Mg and Ca for reducing combustion emissions of wood/straw blends

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Höfer, I., Kaltschmitt, M. Effect of additives on particulate matter formation of solid biofuel blends from wood and straw. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 7, 101–116 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-016-0217-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-016-0217-7

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