Characterization of Biomass Emissions and Potential Reduction in Small-Scale Pellet Boiler

In recent years it has been proved that residential biomass combustion has a direct influence on ambient air quality, especially in the case of cereals. The aim of this study is the characterization of the emissions in small-scale fixed-bed pellet boiler (heat output of 25 kW) of beech and corn, and of its potential reduction to an addition of calcium dihydroxide. In the biomass combustion test 7 fuel mixtures were investigated with regard to the particulate content (PM10), gaseous emissions and combustion chamber deposit. The corn kernels tanned with calcium dihydroxide determined a decrease in particulate emissions (54 +/- 13 mg MJ(-1)) in comparison to corn, whereas in the combustion of corn pellet with 1% calcium dihydroxide high emissions were observed (193 +/- 21 mg MJ(-1)). With regard to SO2 emissions, the combustion of corn with the additives make a reduction in comparison to additive-free corn.