Biomass Combustion Research Articles

Tagging Emissions from Indoor Biomass Combustion with a Cost-Effective Sensor Array: From Design to Field Deployment in Rural Indian Households.

In this study, we introduce an innovative method for monitoring emissions from indoor biomass combustion, a prevalent practice in rural households in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Our approach utilizes a portable and cost-efficient sensor array with advanced data handling, employing commercially available sensors to measure CO2, CO, NO2, SO2, PMs, VOC, NOx, cookstove and ambient temperature, relative humidity, and pressure. We developed hardware and software to gather and process sensor data and control the temperature cycle using the BME688 sensors. The field deployments reveal that CO2 emission from a cooking event is ∼2.3 ± 1.5 kg CO2 per family. Extrapolating this data, the total emissions from biomass (e.g., fuelwood, crop residues, animal dung, and charcoal) for household cooking in rural areas of India are estimated to be around 0.6 ± 0.4 teragrams (Tg) of CO2 per day. The integration of dual BME688 sensors, leveraging the standard Bosch Software Environmental Cluster library and temperature cycling, achieves an impressive 95% accuracy in fingerprinting emissions from different fuel types. This capability enables the creation of a comprehensive database, where each CO2 emission data point is meticulously linked to the original biomass source. This level of real-time detail, previously unattainable, greatly enhances our ability for emission quantification and offers broad applicability for mitigation efforts.

Aging influence and long-term stable mechanism of biofuel ash immobilizing cadmium in alkaline soil combining artificial aging simulation.

Aging influence and long-term stable mechanism of biofuel ash immobilizing cadmium in alkaline soil combining artificial aging simulation.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in intertidal surface sediments of mangrove wetlands in Dongzhai Harbor, Haikou, China: Understanding sources, distribution, and ecological risk.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in intertidal surface sediments of mangrove wetlands in Dongzhai Harbor, Haikou, China: Understanding sources, distribution, and ecological risk.

Sedimentary black carbon reveals shifting anthropogenic drivers in Lake Erhai Basin, southwest China.

Sedimentary black carbon reveals shifting anthropogenic drivers in Lake Erhai Basin, southwest China.

Experimental research on the countercurrent fixed-bed combustion of biomass

Experimental research on the countercurrent fixed-bed combustion of biomass

Characteristics of reactive biomass combustion by the optimization of central activating substance with efficient thermal recycling

Characteristics of reactive biomass combustion by the optimization of central activating substance with efficient thermal recycling

Effects of nonextractable residual formation on the study of historical PAH pollution and source contribution in a lake sediment core.

Effects of nonextractable residual formation on the study of historical PAH pollution and source contribution in a lake sediment core.

Trace Elements in Indoor Dust Exposure from Child Development Centers and Health Risk Assessment in Haze and Industrial Areas, Thailand

This study aimed to examine trace element concentrations in indoor dust and evaluate health risks in child development centers in haze and industrial areas of Thailand from November 2023 to April 2024. The samples were extracted using a microwave oven and analyzed via ICP-OES. The finding indicated that the levels of As, Cr, Pb, V, Fe, Mn, and Zn in the dust from child development centers in the industrial area were significantly higher than those in the haze area (p < 0.05). The presence of trace element contaminants in indoor dust is indicative of anthropogenic sources. Cd and Zn in both areas have shown significantly elevated risks, according to the probable ecological risk factor. Source apportionment identified traffic, road dust, and biomass combustion as the principal sources of pollution in the haze area, while traffic and combustion activities were significant in the industrial area. Non-carcinogenic risk assessments for children exposed to As, Pb, Cu, and Cr revealed potential health risks (HI > 1). Furthermore, the total cancer risk (TCR) linked to As, Cr, and Ni is considered acceptable within the criteria of 10−6 to 10−4. However, long-term exposure may increase the risk of cancer in children.

Comparison of Laboratory-Scale Methods for Assessing Deposit-Induced Corrosion of Boiler Materials in Biomass Combustion and Recovery Boilers

Various instrumental methods for analyzing high-temperature corrosion of boiler materials were explored and compared. These methods were applied to gain deeper insights into corrosion due to two salt mixtures containing Na, K, SO4, and Cl below and above the mixtures’ first melting points. Stainless steel AISI316 and high-alloyed Sanicro28, typically used in heat exchangers in power plants, were exposed to salt mixtures in a laboratory tube furnace for 168 h. The extent of the metal corrosion following exposure was measured through mass loss, changes in the surface topography using optical 3D imaging, and dimensional metrology. Additionally, the morphology, thickness, and composition of the formed oxide scales were characterized using SEM–EDX. The information gathered from each method confirmed the impact of the synthetic salt deposit and temperature on the metal corrosion. Combining several methods enables detailed studies of changes taking place on the metal surface after exposure to challenging environments. The results also suggested that partial melting of the deposit had a higher impact on the corrosion than its chloride content.

Integration of sCO2 Brayton Cycles With Carbon Capture Systems

Abstract Increasing global energy consumption and greater market penetration of intermittent energy sources require a baseline power source to enable renewable energies. Here, a case is made for pairing supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles with carbon capture to create low-emission, high-efficiency, combustion-based power generation systems. Pairing carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems with supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) Brayton cycles enables the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in combustion systems, but with an associated energy cost. Three different representative models of CCS systems (oxyfuel combustion, amine scrubbing, and cryogenic carbon capture) are considered for pairing with an sCO2 Brayton cycle, each with assumed capture efficiency between 87% and 90%. Integrated models of supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles with CCS are used to predict the thermal efficiency of each combined system utilizing the process modeling software steamgen expert. The recompression sCO2 Brayton cycle exhibits thermal efficiencies in the range of 44–52%. When integrated with a cryogenic CCS system, the combined system demonstrated a nominal thermal efficiency of 39.1% with the potential to achieve 34–46%. Similarly, for oxyfuel combustion or amine scrubbing, the range of expected thermal efficiencies is 26–39% and 28–40%, respectively. The upper limits for these ranges represent a best-case scenario for aggressive operating conditions of the sCO2 Brayton cycle. CCS systems provide a CO2 source stream for operating the sCO2 Brayton cycle with other energy sources, including nuclear and solar. Additionally, the combined system has the potential to reach carbon negativity when paired with biomass combustion.

Transforming Palm Oil Fuel Ash into High-Performance Biosorbents: One-Pot Synthesis of Layered Double Hydroxide Composites for Efficient Removal of Hazardous Dyes from Textile Wastewater

Palm oil fuel ash (POFA) is a waste byproduct from the combustion of oil palm biomass in power generation. While it does not have the heavy metal leaching issues found in coal fly ash, its production presents challenges related to landfill space and management costs. To address this, POFA can be repurposed as an adsorbent, reducing disposal volumes. In this study, POFA's adsorption properties were enhanced by modifying it with Mg/Fe layered double hydroxides through co-precipitation and hydrothermal treatment. The resulting POFA-Mg/Fe LDH (P-LDH 1.0) was extensively characterized using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, confirming the successful integration of crystalline LDH onto POFA matrix. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the removal efficiency of P-LDH 1.0 against Reactive Orange 16 (RO16) and Crystal Violet (CV), achieving maximum adsorption capacities of 444.07 mg/g and 1048.69 mg/g, respectively. Adsorption performance was influenced by solution pH, dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, and ionic strength. Isotherm and kinetic analyses indicated that the adsorption of P-LDH 1.0 favored Redlich-Peterson isotherms (R2 > 0.99), and pseudo-second-order kinetic models (R2 > 0.97). Moreover, P-LDH 1.0 demonstrated high removal efficiencies for a variety of anionic and triarylmethane dyes, as well as satisfactory treatment of actual industry effluents, including raw textile wastewater and palm oil mill effluent, achieving color, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon reductions ranging between 41.4–94.2%, 26–63.8% and 28.8–57.3%, respectively. Compared to unmodified POFA, pristine LDHs, and other modified fly ashes, the P-LDH 1.0 composite exhibited markedly superior adsorption performance, highlighting its potential as a cost-effective, eco-friendly material for dye-laden wastewater treatment and broader water pollution remediation applications.

Thermogravimetric Assessment and Kinetic Analysis of Forestry Residues Combustion

The development of combustion experiments in a controlled environment is essential for comparing different fuels and quantifying the influence of different key parameters. It is fundamental to understand the transport phenomena at the particle level to obtain reliable results and information for further proper biomass combustion modeling of large-scale equipment. Hence, this paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the thermal decomposition and kinetic of eight samples of forest biomass fuels in terms of combustion behavior by using the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. The tests were carried out in an oxidizing atmosphere at a heating rate between 5 and 100 °C/min up to 900 °C. It was observed that, for all samples, fuel conversion follows a sequence of drying, devolatilization, and char combustion. Furthermore, differences in chemical and physical composition, as well as in structures and their thermal stability, justify the differences observed between the mass-loss curves of the different fuels. For this, the complexity of kinetic study is addressed in this paper by using different approaches: isoconversional and model-fitting methods. However, the use of isoconversional methods proved ineffective for determining reliable kinetic parameters, due to their sensitivity to particle conversion. A significant variation in activation energy was observed during the devolatilization stage, ranging from 47.92 to 101.30 kJ/mol. For the char oxidation stage, it ranged from 14.97 to 35.48 kJ/mol. These results highlight Eucalyptus as the most reactive species among those studied.

Fuel Features of Straw Biomass Valorized with Aluminosilicates

Straw biomass is a renewable but problematic fuel due to its high alkali and chlorine content, which can cause slagging and corrosion during combustion. To mitigate these issues, this study investigates the influence of aluminosilicate additives on the thermal behavior and combustion characteristics of straw biomass. Laboratory-scale testing is carried out using thermogravimetric analysis under atmospheric air, showing the TG, DTG, and DSC profiles of samples (kaolinite, halloysite, straw biomass, and straw biomass with 4 wt.% of halloysite). Additionally, the main combustion parameters, like the ignition temperature, the maximum peak temperature, the burnout temperature, and some combustion indexes, are presented. The results show the effect of a heating rate in the range of 5–20 °C/min. Moreover, in this study, two non-isothermal model methods (Kissinger and Ozawa) are used to estimate energy activation. While halloysite slightly affects the combustion indexes and marginally reduces energy activation, its overall influence does not significantly alter combustion efficiency. These findings support the potential and safe use of halloysite for the biomass combustion process.

Deep learning-based analysis and identification of single-particle mass spectra of bacteria.

Single-particle mass spectrometry (SPMS) has the potential to identify bacterial species. However, this crucial topic has received limited attention in research. This investigation aims to fill this gap by combining SPMS with supervised learning algorithms to distinguish six bacterial species. The study begins by collecting particle size and mass spectra data for six bacteria and four biomass combustion products (BCPs) using SPMS. These data are used to compare particle sizes and create a comprehensive dataset containing mass spectra for all ten subjects. The mass spectra peak ratio method is then employed to differentiate between bacteria and BCPs, highlighting their distinct distributions of PO₃-/PO₂- and CNO-/CN- in scatter plots. In addition to this, the study compares the mass spectrometry ion features of bacteria and BCPs and evaluates the classification performance of support vector machines (SVM), multi-layer perceptrons (MLP), and convolutional neural networks (CNN) using five criteria. The Score-Weighted Class Activation Mapping (Score-CAM) method is used to visualize and analyze the CNN models, extracting and analyzing the key ionic features that the CNN models relied on for classification. The results demonstrate that the mass spectra peak ratio method effectively distinguishes bacteria from BCPs. The CNN and MLP algorithms can not only accurately distinguish between bacteria and BCPs but also precisely identify different types of bacteria. The overall classification accuracy of the CNN and MLP models exceeds 96%. The key ions obtained using the Score-CAM method exhibit varying degrees of signal intensity differences among different bacteria, which helps to understand the compositional differences between various bacterial species. This study provides an effective methodology for the in-depth analysis of SPMS data.

Study on Slagging Mechanism of Heating Surface in CFB Boiler with Mixed Biomass Fuel

ABSTRACT The slagging behavior was investigated in a 75 t·h−1 biomass circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler using a fuel mix composed of five biomass types: eucalyptus bark, wood tailings, industrial composite board, bamboo, and wood board. Severe superheater slagging highlights the need to investigate slagging mechanisms in mixed biomass fuels, considering the characteristics of multiple feedstocks. Slagging on the heating surface is analyzed through ash composition and ash fusion temperature (AFT) evaluations. The results indicated that bamboo, wood tailings and wood board exhibit high calcium content (approximately 30% of the ash) and significant potassium content (exceeding 10% of the ash). Eucalyptus bark exhibited high concentrations of silicon and aluminum, with SiO2 comprising up to 60% of its ash content. Industrial composite board and wood tailings ashes had high chlorine levels, reaching 0.67% and 0.87%, respectively. The slagging samples from the high-temperature superheater area revealed a layered structure. The middle layer contained white KCl crystals and fine particles, while the outer layer of slag and ash particles was composed of Ca2Al2SiO7, CaSO4, KCl, and K2MgSiO4. The outer slagging samples of the low-temperature superheater showed a similar composition, with a higher content of white KCl crystals in the middle layer. This increase was attributed to the condensation and precipitation of KCl vapor from the flue gas. This study provides insights and guidance on slagging and corrosion phenomena associated with the combustion of agroforestry biomass wastes in circulating fluidized bed boilers.

The use of bottom and a mixture of bottom and fly ash from wood-sunflower biomass combustion in concrete production

As part of the research, concrete mixes containing the addition of bottom ash as well as bottom and fly ash mixtures from the combustion of biomass only were made. The ashes were obtained from the combustion of 80% of wood and 20% of sunflower in a fluidized bed boiler. In the study, the elemental composition of ashes was determined by testing with an XRF X-ray spectrometer. Ashes in the amount of 10, 20 and 30% of the cement mass were used as a substitute for sand for testing concrete samples. During the preparation of concrete mixes, tests of consistency and air content in the mixes were carried out. Concrete samples were tested in terms of e.g. compressive strength, water absorption or frost resistance. The compressive strength of the samples with the addition of bottom ash was lower than the strength of the control samples. The use of a mixture of ashes allowed to improve this property and each of the samples obtained a higher compressive strength than samples without the addition of ash. The addition of ashes significantly improves the frost resistance of concrete, i.e. reduces the decrease in the compressive strength of concrete after frost resistance tests. The absorbability of the samples, regardless of the amount and type of added ash, changed slightly in relation to the control samples.

Bed Particle LayerFormation and Characteristics ofIlmenite Bed Particles Utilized in Fluidized Bed Combustion of ChickenLitter

Despite extensive research on the bed particle layerformationand characteristics of ilmenite bed particles in fluidized bed combustionand gasification of woody biomass (characterized by high Ca and Kcontent), a significant knowledge gap exists when P-rich fuels areused. Chicken litter, as a P-rich biomass, presents a promising alternativebiomass for energy conversion processes. Therefore, this study aimsto investigate the bed particle layer formation and characteristicsof ilmenite bed particles during fluidized bed combustion of chickenlitter. The bed particle layer formation process and characteristicsfor ilmenite bed particles utilized in a 5 kWth bubblingfluidized bed combustion of chicken litter were studied in this work.Bed samples were taken after 4, 8, 12, and 16 h from the start-upand were analyzed via SEM/EDS. The findings highlighted that the initialstage of bed particle layer formation is similar to what was observedin fluidized bed combustion of woody biomass and is driven by thereaction of fuel-derived Ca-rich particles with the bed particle,leading to the formation of the inner layer. As time progresses, thedeposition of fuel-derived bed ash, containing mainly Ca, P, Mg, andK, forms an outer layer that uniformly covers the entire bed particlesurface, irrespective of the bed particle’s surface morphologies.Additionally, the outward migration of Fe from ilmenite bed particlesis significantly constrained when utilizing chicken litter, a Ca-and P-rich fuel, due to the formation of a bed particle layer thatuniformly covers the bed particle surface.

Production and Evaluation of Lime Fertilizers with the Addition of Biomass Combustion Waste.

The study identified the optimal material, e.g., raw composition and moisture content, and process parameters for the non-pressure agglomeration of carbonate lime combined with biomass waste, e.g., calcium sulfate (ECO-ZEC), post-production residue (PPR), and fly ash using a molasses-based binder. The chemical analysis revealed that the CaO content in the granules ranged from 34% to 52%, with the highest calcium concentration observed in formulations containing carbonate limestone. Among the waste-based additives, PPR exhibited a calcium content only 7% lower than that of pure carbonate lime, whereas ECO-ZEC and fly ash contained 20% and 30% less calcium, respectively. Due to the low MgO levels in the tested granules, they cannot be classified as calcium-magnesium fertilizers. Regarding heavy metal content, concentrations of cadmium and lead remained below the permissible regulatory limits. The highest levels of these elements were detected in the fly ash-enriched granules, consistent with the known chemical composition of this waste type. The tested waste materials ECO-ZEC, PPR, and fly ash demonstrated alkaline pH values ranging from 12.37 for fly ash and 12.28 for PPR to 8.84 for ECO-ZEC. The reference carbonate lime showed a slightly lower pH of 8.82. Mechanical strength testing indicated that the addition of PPR improved the mechanical resistance of the granules compared to the reference sample. Conversely, the inclusion of ECO-ZEC and fly ash reduced this parameter. Notably, granules containing fly ash and PPR exhibited prolonged disintegration times in water, suggesting their potential application as slow-release fertilizers. The findings of this study demonstrate that industrial waste materials generated from biomass combustion can serve as effective components in the production of innovative lime-based fertilizers. This innovative approach not only promotes the recycling of by-products but also supports the development of sustainable agriculture by reducing the environmental burdens associated with waste disposal and encouraging resource efficiency.

Abatement of Emissionsof a Residential Wood Stove:Effect of the Catalyst on Gaseous and Condensable Pollutants Concentrationand Their Toxicity

The use of biomass combustion for residential heatingpurposesis crucial for reaching the European Union’s 2050 climate-neutralitygoals. It, however, raises environmental and health concerns. Thisstudy explores the impact of a patented catalyst on wood stove emissionsand, notably, its influence on cytotoxicity by comparing flue gascomposition with and without the catalyst. Organic gaseous compounds(OGC) generated by wood combustion comprise two subgroups: water-solublecondensable organic compounds (WSCOC) and high-saturating vapor organiccompounds (HSVOC). The second is mainly composed of methane, a moleculechallenging to oxidize into CO2 at these operating temperatures.While the catalyst moderately eliminates OGC (19%) in general, itexcels in removing CO (87%) and WSCOC (80%), particularly polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) (91%). Bioassays on the A549 human cellline show that the catalytic WSCOC removal is correlated with a significantdecrease in cytotoxicity (50%). Additionally, particle number sizedistribution measurements suggest that the catalyst facilitates thedeposition of particles larger than 10 μm, leading to a 66%reduction in the particulate mass concentration. These results underscorethe catalyst’s role in mitigating harmful gaseous emissionsand reducing the health risks associated with wood stove use, particularlyby targeting toxic WSCOC.

The Impact of Seasonality on Air Quality in Terms of Pollution with Substances Hazardous to the Environment

The study presents an analysis of the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 µm (PM10) in the air across various locations, as well as their impact on human health. Research in this area was conducted at eight stations as part of the national environmental monitoring system run in Poland by the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection. Daily measurement data of PM10 and the concentrations of PAHs associated with these particles were analyzed for the period from January to December 2023. The results showed that pollutant concentrations in the atmosphere vary depending on location, season, and meteorological conditions. The highest concentrations were observed during the winter season, when the combustion of solid fuels increases, while the lowest concentrations were recorded in the summer. The total concentration of PAHs ranged from 0.35 to 34.50 ng/m3. The annual average concentration of PM10 at the analyzed stations was 19.29 ± 3.01 µg/m3. Principal component analysis indicated that PAHs in the air primarily originate from emissions related to transportation, biomass combustion, and industry. Furthermore, the estimated health risk, considering the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) index, showed that the risk of cancer associated with inhaling PAHs by children and adults did not exceed the permissible limits. The main contributor to the total carcinogenic activity of the PAH mixture was benzo(b)fluorantene (BbF) (31.5%), followed by benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) (5.5%), indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (IP) (18.2%), benzo(j)fluorantene (BjF) (12.9%), benzo(k)fluorantene (BkF) (8.5%), benzo(a)anthracene (BaA) (2.5%), and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene (DBahA) (1.0%).