Reduction of aerosol particles in flue gases from biomass combustion with a rotational particle separator RPS

Measurements of particle size distributions revealed that most of the particles from biomass combustion with good burnout conditions are in the size range below I mu m (aerodynamic diameter). The separation of particles smaller than 1 mu m asks for highly effective separators. An interesting new technology for aerosol separation is the rotational particle separator RPS which uses a rotating cylinder centered in a single cyclone and fabricated as a bundle of axial capillary channels. The overall particle separation behaviour of the RPS is expressed as the d(p0,max) value. This value can be calculated and represents the particle diameter which is completely separated. For a first series of test runs, a RPS has been designed with a d(p0,max) value of 1.8 mu m at 1800 Am-3/h and angular velocities of 360 rad/s. Various results from these test runs are presented. The target particle emissions in the clean gas of 50 mg/Nm(3) can be reached with the present design at a flow rate of 900 Am-3/h and angular velocities of 350 rad/s. Further improvements are in progress to optimize the RPS for the application in wood furnaces.