An experimental study of combustion and emissions of biomass briquettes in a domestic wood stove

Abstract

This study presents combustion and emission results obtained using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) phase two wood stove for 15 biomass briquettes produced from a range of feedstock including hay and switch grass. Fuel property, gas emissions, particulate emissions and stove efficiency are compared. In regard to fuel properties, proximate analysis, ultimate analysis and heating values are determined and emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are measured and compared. In this study, particulates are sampled, measured and compared using an isokinetic particulate analyser. The results suggest that hay and switch grass briquettes can successfully be combusted in domestic wood stoves with similar performance and emissions to that of other woody briquettes.