Abstract
This paper presents the results of the evaluation of the energy potential of waste from the process of drying corn grain in the form of corn cobs, damaged grains, corn grain husks, and mixtures of starting materials. A technical and elementary analysis was performed for the biomass under investigation. The elemental composition of ash and the tendencies for slagging and boiler slagging were determined, and the emission factors were estimated based on the elemental analysis performed. The tests showed the highest calorific value among the starting materials for corn cobs (CCs) (14.94 MJ·kg−1) and for the mixture of corn cobs with corn husk (CC–CH) (13.70 MJ·kg−1). The estimated emission factors were within ranges of 38.26–63.26 kg·Mg−1 for CO, 936–1549 kg·Mg−1 for CO2, 0.85–4.32 kg·Mg−1 for NOx, 0.91–1.03 kg·Mg−1 for SO2, and 3.88–54.31 kg·Mg−1 for dust. The research showed that the creation of mixtures from starting materials leads to materials with lower potential for negative environmental impact as well as a reduced risk of slagging and fouling of biomass boilers. However, taking into account all the parameters determined for the biomass under study, the highest energy potential was characteristic for corn cobs and the mixture of corn cobs with corn husk.
Highlights
Growing concerns about the impact of fossil fuel use on climate change and the prospect of exhaustion have led to the need to look for cleaner energy production methods
8 types of biomass which were the by-products from the process of corn kernels drying and mixtures of these materials in ratios of 4:1 v/v: 2.1
The need to diversify energy sources forces the search for new energy carriers through which we strive to replace fossil fuels with alternative fuels
Summary
Growing concerns about the impact of fossil fuel use on climate change and the prospect of exhaustion have led to the need to look for cleaner energy production methods. The creation of new renewable fuels is driven mainly by the need to replace the main types of fossil fuels (coal, heating oil, and natural gas) as well as to dispose of post-production waste [1]. All types of biomass should be considered as a potential source of renewable energy such as post-production waste generated in various industries including the agri-food industry. Their storage in landfills, due to the fact of high diversity, results in the loss of resources and environmental burden. Enterprises producing waste incur fees for its disposal which have to be accounted [3]
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