Emission characteristics from the combustion of Acacia Mangium in the automatic feeding pellet stove

Abstract

The study provides new insights on the empirical facts and figures of Acacia Mangium graded wood pellets in non-industrial thermochemical applications. The test material was characterized according to normative solid biofuel specifications that confirmed a relevant net calorific value, a considerable mass fraction of the ash content, and the sign of ash softening initially observed at a notable temperature. The instrument readings of six major combustion gaseous components and particulate matter in the exhaust gas verified consistent emission profiles of woody solid biofuels in small-scale combustion installations. The calculated values of CO, CO2, NO, SO2, TOC and PM were analyzed in depth. The emission characteristics obtained revealed the apparent correlations of the fractions of gaseous components subjected to the elemental content determined by the ultimate analysis of Acacia Mangium wood pellets. The particulate matter emitted containing unburnt carbonaceous solid residues and inorganic materials remaining as byproducts were comparatively evaluated according to the different fuel types and variable test devices in earlier works. The mechanism of production and removal of volatilized alkali metals that influence solid particle formation was discussed. The excessive amount of ash-forming elements could potentially cause uncertain fluctuations in emission characteristics, which were remarked upon by further ash-related investigations requiring additional analysis.