Abstract
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy is a rapid method used to determine the composition of biomass ash, but the accuracy of the method is sensitive to various factors including ash preparation methods. In this study different types of biomass ash were examined by using wet chemical analysis (WCA) and compared with the respective XRF results. The biomass ash was initially prepared in accordance with the European Standard method at 550°C. At this low combustion temperature the amount of residual unburned carbon is significant. To eliminate this, the ashes were heated at higher temperatures: a batch of twenty biomass ashes were heated at 850°C and a batch of five heated to 815°C. At these higher temperatures there may be loss of inorganic components by vaporisation. Variation in these effects may lead to unreliable results. The relationship between XRF and WCA results are given by regression equations. The ashes processed at 815°C show better agreement between the two analysis methods.
Highlights
The inorganic content and composition of biomass is important in relation to combustion behaviour in furnaces since it influences corrosion and ash deposition on heat exchange and other surfaces in the combustor
The X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) results were compared against the wet chemical analysis results for the respective ash samples for Cases 1 and 2
In the sample preparation for XRF analysis, it is important that ashing temperature and sample fusion temperature are carefully and consistently chosen
Summary
The inorganic content and composition of biomass is important in relation to combustion behaviour in furnaces since it influences corrosion and ash deposition on heat exchange and other surfaces in the combustor. The organic matter burnsout leaving metal oxides and other metal adducts. Knowledge of the melting point of these compounds is important in furnace operations [1,2,3,4]. Certain metals can affect the rates of pyrolysis [5] and bio-refinery processes [6]. Inorganic content varies in different types of biomass but may vary significantly in similar types of biomass from different regions. Some wood-pellet biomass fuels have low silica and low potassium and usually high calcium content whilst agricultural residues such as straw can show high silica, high potassium and low calcium content
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