Combustion and emission characteristics of a swirling fluidized-bed combustor burning moisturized rice husk

Burning of rice husk in a swirling fluidized-bed combustor (SFBC) was the focus of this experimental study. Swirl motion of a fluidized bed in this combustor was induced by an annular spiral distributor of primary air and also promoted by tangential injection of secondary air into the bed splash zone. "As-received" rice husk was moisturized with the aim to control NO emission from the combustor. The SFBC was tested at a constant fuel feed rate (of about 80 kg/h) for six fuel-moisture contents (from 8.4% to 35%). In each test series for the particular fuel quality, excess air was ranged from about 20% to 80%. Radial and axial profiles of temperature and gas concentrations (O-2, CO and NO) were plotted for different fuel options and operating conditions with the aim to study pollutants formation and reduction in different regions of the SFBC. With increasing the fuel-moisture content, the emission of NO from the combustor apparently reduced, while the emission of CO was adjusted at a quite low level due to the effects of secondary air. An effective least-cost control of both NO and CO emissions and high (over 99%) combustion efficiency are achievable when firing moisturized rice husk in this SFBC. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.