Abstract
This research involved studying the physico-chemical parameters of fly ash derived from the combustion of 100% biomass in bubbling and circulating fluidized bed boilers of two large energy plants in Poland. Chemical composition revealed that ash contains substantial amounts of CaO (12.86–26.5%); K2O (6.2–8.25%); MgO (2.97–4.06%); P2O5 (2–4.63%); S (1.6–1.83%); and micronutrients such as Mn, Zn, Cu, and Co. The ash from the bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) was richer in potassium, phosphorus, CaO, and micronutrients than the ash from the circulating fluidized bed (CFB) and contained cumulatively less contaminants. However, the BFB ash exceeded the threshold values of Cd to be considered as a liming amendment. Additionally, according to our European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) study Pb and Cd were more mobile in the BFB than in the CFB ash. Except for a low nitrogen content, the ash met the minimum requirements for mineral fertilizers. Acute phytotoxicity revealed no inhibition of the germination and seed growth of Avena sativa L. and Lepidium sativum plants amended with biomass ash. Despite the fact that low nitrogen content excludes the use of biomass fly ash as a sole mineral fertilizer, it still possesses other favorable properties (a high content of CaO and macronutrients), which warrants further investigation into its potential utilization.
Highlights
Almost one third of electricity is generated from coal; despite this fact, renewable energy sources such as biomass are increasingly gaining a foothold
The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition of fly ash resulting from the combusting of 100% biomass in two different types of fluidized bed boiler collected from two very large power plants in Poland, with particular emphasis placed upon the fertilizing properties of ash, as well as content of micro and macronutrients
The electrical conductance was reported to be high in all samples, fly ash from the bubbling fluidized bed was twice as conductive (18.77–20.4 mS/cm) as samples taken from the circulating fluidized bed
Summary
Almost one third of electricity is generated from coal; despite this fact, renewable energy sources such as biomass are increasingly gaining a foothold. Countries are obliged to meet certain targets regarding their share of energy from renewable sources in gross energy production by the year 2020 (according to the EU Directive 2009/28/WE). In 2020, this target is 20% for most EU countries, whereas Poland has to meet a target of 15%. The European Environment Agency has indicated that the use of biomass in large combustion plants in the EU has tripled between years 2004 and 2016. In Poland almost half of the electricity derived from renewable sources comes from biomass. Investments in energy generation derived from biomass are either in the planning stage or have already been implemented in many of Poland’s heat and electric power plants
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