Abstract
Biomass selection integrates heterogeneous variables such as fuel composition, fuel morphology and operating conditions. One important challenge in fuel selection field is to determine the influence of each individual variable in the combustion process to obtain the most efficient energy. This paper investigates an optimization design of different combustion parameters for biomass combustion in fixed-bed counter-current boiler. A new application of error propagation theory (EPT) and grey relational analysis (GRA) has been proposed to analyse the combined effect of the most influential variables in the operating conditions; i.e. the ignition mass flux and the maximum temperature. This methodology combines the GRA to rank the alternatives and EPT to compute input measurement uncertainty propagation through the subsequent computing operations. The behaviour of seven biomasses [i.e. brassica pellet, poplar pellet, refuse-derived fuel pellet, wood pellets, almond shell and olive stone] that are readily available in Spain, in southern Europe, was analysed. The results presented are based on 43 experimental tests with these fuels. This paper proposes a new tool based on grey relational analysis and error propagation theory, for making quick and easy decisions regarding fuel performance. The main advantages of this new tool are its simplicity, versatility and reliability, which have been verified by comparing obtained results with other studies. The influence of operational parameters and fuel properties were analysed. The results showed that air supply injected on the bed basis and size particle are the most influenced variables on the combustion.
Highlights
Biomass selection integrates heterogeneous variables such as fuel composition, fuel morphology and operating conditions
After all grey relational grade (GRG) and grey relational grade error (GRGe) have been calculated, the data are sorted according to the GRG value (Figure 5 and Table 2)
The high GRGe values in the sequences are due to the uncertainty and values of the variables
Summary
Biomass selection integrates heterogeneous variables such as fuel composition, fuel morphology and operating conditions. One important challenge in fuel selection field is to determine the influence of each individual variable in the combustion process to obtain the most efficient energy. The widespread use of biomass for power generation has led to the expansion of the types of fuels used. These types of fuels are highly versatile when undergoing energy conversion treatments and differ significantly from each other in efficiency [1]. Various thermochemical processes can obtain energy from biomass, combustion is the most widely used [2]. Many projects have attempted to validate mathematical models of biomass combustion processes based on experimental data obtained from experimental plants [4].
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