Evaluation of the Properties and Usefulness of Ashes from the Corn Grain Drying Process Biomass

Grzegorz Zając,Wojciech Gołębiowski,Paweł Krzaczek,Grzegorz Maj,Marcin Dębowski,Joanna Szyszlak-Bargłowicz,Tomasz Słowik

doi:10.3390/en13051290

Grzegorz Zając, Wojciech Gołębiowski + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en13051290

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Abstract

The paper presents the results of a study on chemical composition of ashes from three types of waste biomass in terms of fertilizer usefulness. Waste from the process of corn grain drying, including corn cobs, corn grains and corn husk and their mixtures in the ratio 4:1 (v/v) were examined. The study proved that corn grain was the material with the highest concentration of macroelements among those studied (P—21,452 ppm, K—25,970 ppm, S—5911 ppm) and the mixture of corn cobs with corn grains (Ca—81,521 ppm). When microelements were considered, the highest concentration was recorded for corn cobs (Cu—207 ppm, Mn—844 ppm, Zn—857 ppm) and corn husk (Fe—15,100 ppm). The analysis of toxic elements in the ashes of the biomass studied showed their highest concentration in corn husk ash (Ni—494 ppm, Cr—301 ppm, Pb—42.7 ppm, As—4.62 ppm). The analysis showed that regardless of the type of biomass studied, all ashes were strongly enriched (in relation to the average soil content) with phosphorus and corn husk ash with calcium in particular. A slight enrichment in copper and lead was recorded for all ashes, and moderate or low for the other elements. It was found that the examined ashes from biomass, which is a residue from the drying of maize grain, have a high fertilizer usefulness.

Highlights

The need to reduce the environmental impact of traditional fossil fuels, as well as the depletion of these resources and the sharp rise in fossil fuel prices, is the reason for the growing use of renewable energy sources, including biomass
The aim of this study is to evaluate the chemical composition of ashes from the combustion of waste biomass from corn grain drying and analysis of the concept of its use for fertilizing purposes, as well as to estimate the potential risk associated with its introduction into the environment
The Adb ash content of corn grains (CG) and corn cobs (CC) and mixtures of these materials was in the range 5.88%–7.44%

Summary

Introduction

The need to reduce the environmental impact of traditional fossil fuels, as well as the depletion of these resources and the sharp rise in fossil fuel prices, is the reason for the growing use of renewable energy sources, including biomass. Biomass can be used in conversion processes in various ways to produce gaseous and liquid fuels, and as a solid fuel [1]. The large-scale use of biomass for energy generation faces some challenges in terms of biomass availability, processing and compaction [2,3], technical problems, as well as the management of ashes after combustion. The combustion of biomass fuels for electricity generation is accompanied by the formation of a significant amount of solid waste (ash and slag). It is important to know the composition of trace elements in ash from biomass combustion and their respective harmful or beneficial properties in order to determine the potential possibilities of their management (e.g., as fertilizer for agricultural and forestry purposes) [4,5]. The directions which are considered primarily when selecting the technology of Energies 2020, 13, 1290; doi:10.3390/en13051290 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

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