Investigation on Agropellet Combustion in the Fluidized Bed

Abstract

Agricultural wastes (straw, sunflower or millet husk, etc.) are difficult to use as fuel because of low bulk density and relatively big ash content with a low melting point. It is possible to produce agropellets of agricultural wastes which are suggested to combust in a fluidized bed of pellets alone, their char particles and ash. The characteristics of the process of fluidization of agropellets are investigated at room temperature. The experiments on agropellet combustion in a fluidized bed are carried out in an experimental set-up. The results of the experiments have shown that in such a bed the pellets produced of straw and millet husk combust with the same rate as those of wood though the latter contain 8.76 – 19.4 times less ash. The duration of combustion of the same portion of straw pellets in a fluidized bed is 3.74 – 7.01 times less than the duration of combustion of cut straw in a fixed bed. Besides, the movement of agropellets prevents agglomeration and slagging of a boiler furnace.