Abstract
The depletion of the conventional energy sources, as well as the degradation and pollution of the environment by the exploitation of fossil fuels caused the development of renewable energy sources (RES), including biomass. In Poland, biomass is the most popular renewable energy source, which is closely related to the obligations associated with the membership in the EU. Biomass is the oldest renewable energy source, and its potential, diversity and polymorphism place it over other sources. Besides, the improvement in its parameters, including an increase in its calorific value, resulted in increasing use of biomass as energy source. In the electric power industry biomass is applied in the process of co-combustion with coal. This process may contribute, inter alia, to the reduction in the emissions of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur oxides. The article presents the characteristics of the biomass burned in power boilers of one of the largest Polish power plants, located in Opole Province (Southern Poland). Besides, the impact of biomass on the installation of co-combustion, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the co-combustion process not only in technological, but also environmental, economic and social aspects were described.
Highlights
Like in previous years, the main sources of energy for the industry and municipal management are fossil fuels such as hard coal, lignite, crude oil and natural gas
Versatility of biomass follows from the fact, that it occurs in the three states of matter: solid, liquid and gaseous
Considering the environmental protection aspect, it is known from the literature that the co-combustion of biomass can contribute to the increase in emission of some pollutants e.g. hydrocarbons into the atmospheric air
Summary
Like in previous years, the main sources of energy for the industry and municipal management are fossil fuels such as hard coal, lignite, crude oil and natural gas. Biomass is a precursor and the oldest renewable energy source It has the widest possibilities of application compared with other RES, because it includes, inter alia, organic waste from agriculture, forestry, as well as various industries and municipal management. Biomass used in Polish power industry is almost entirely produced in the country, and Poland is one of the largest exporters of biomass in Europe. This article evaluates the process of biomass co-combustion with hard coal in one of the largest Polish power plants, located in Opole Province (Southern Poland). The article is based on the information obtained in the above-mentioned power plant and literature data
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