Abstract
The paper presents the results of studies on ashes produced from burning wood biomass in closed wood-fired furnaces, in individual household furnaces (Silesian Province, Poland). Dry sieve analysis and detailed granulometric analysis were performed with the Analysette 22 Micro Tec plus analyser. Content of the basic elements (Al, Si, P, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe) and potentially toxic elements (As, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Hg) was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Relative enrichment factors (REFs) were calculated for the elements (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, As, Hg, and Cr), and the emissions (E) of Pb, Cd, Hg, and As to the environment were estimated. The carbon content (40.2%–45.8%), H (3.7%–6.1%), O (46.2%–50.2%), N (0.12%–0.32%), and S (0.11%–0.96%) in wood biomass varies and depends on the wood species and drying period. The content of volatile parts in wood biomass ranges between 69.3 and 81%. Ash content varies between 2.6 and 18.3%. The wood calorific value ranges from 13.6 MJ/kg to 17.4 MJ/kg. Moisture content in the wood biomass ranges from 13.7% (briquette) to 46.7% (fresh birch). Identification of mineral composition and phases yields a high share of calcite, monetite, fairchildite, and quartz in the examined ashes. The combustion of wood biomass in fireplaces results in increased emissions of Pb and Cd to the atmosphere and may be the cause of introducing pollutants to waters and soils during ash storage.
Highlights
Wood is used for heating homes in many countries
Wood biomass is characterised by very high volatile parts content, with a lower value determined for fresh birch (69.3%) (Table 3)
The high concentration of Fe in wood biomass ash is probably determined by the mineral composition of soils and the location of wood harvesting
Summary
Wood is used for heating homes in many countries. The highest per capita consumption of firewood was recorded in Scandinavian and Baltic countries (5–15 GJ/person) and in Europe (2–10 GJ/person) (Deniver et al 2015).Individual domestic furnaces in open and closed fireplaces mainly generate ash from burning wood and briquettes produced based on hardwood and coniferous wood. Wood is used for heating homes in many countries. The highest per capita consumption of firewood was recorded in Scandinavian and Baltic countries (5–15 GJ/person) and in Europe (2–10 GJ/person) (Deniver et al 2015). Individual domestic furnaces in open and closed fireplaces mainly generate ash from burning wood and briquettes produced based on hardwood and coniferous wood. Ash from burning wood biomass is widely recognised as potentially harmless to the environment. In Poland, in 2018, the consumption of biomass from wood in individual fireplaces reached 13.2% (GUS 2019), while in other EU countries it was about 16% (Faraca et al 2019).
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