Emission Factors and Energy Properties of Agro and Forest Biomass in Aspect of Sustainability of Energy Sector

Abstract

The paper presents the possibility of managing forest and agricultural biomass for energy purposes in the aspect of environmental protection and sustainable development. The results of experimental studies of physicochemical properties of four types of plant biomass, i.e., a wheat straw, oat grains, larch needles and rapeseed pods are shown. The study consisted of determining the energy parameters in the form of gross and net calorific values of the test material. In addition, the ash and moisture content of the material was tested. Moreover, an elementary analysis for the tested materials by determining the content of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen was performed. The studies have shown energy potential for the examined materials, in particular oat grains, where the gross calorific value amounted to 17.16 MJ·kg−1, net calorific value to 15.37 MJ·kg−1 and ash content to 2.71%. Larch needles are characterised by the highest carbon content of 45.73%, oat grains by hydrogen at 6.53%, 1.53% nitrogen and sulphur 0.11%. Determined emission rates indicate a reduction of 31–41% CO, 30–39% CO2, 22–55% NOx, 95–97% SO2, 47–97% dust depending on the type of used biomass in relation to hard coal.