The present study estimates the energy potential of pine needles in the western Himalayan territory. Both a single point estimation approach and tree-canopy density approach were carried out to determine the net annual pine needle litterfall for different types of conifer forest. The annual net and gross pine needles yield in the year 2018 have been estimated to be 67.99 million tonnes and 59.02 million tonnes respectively. It provides an annual primary energy (APE) potential in electric and thermal energy form. The calculated thermal energy varied from 1.16-1.34 pJ which can provide a backup of 0.09-0.1 billion kWh. Thus, the pine needle offers a source of renewable fuel with excellent combustion characteristics of 18.64 MJ/kg. Additionally, the massive pine needles would result in a net increment of economic energy to the Himalayan regions and also control the threats of forest fires and, most importantly, scaledown the environmental pollution.
Fossil fuels are the most common and reliable energy source, which presently fulfill 80% energy requirements all across the world. In the last few decades, over-consumption, fast pace modernization and population growth are some prominent factors which are exploiting the fossil fuels. The degradation of natural resources has gone up at an alarming rate which provoked to look for an alternate source of energy. From all available alternative renewable energy sources, biomass is the only carbon-based sustainable option. But, its diversity makes it a complex and difficult fuel. Among all technologies used for energy generation from the biomass, fluidized bed combustion is emerging as a suitable best option to handle fuel diversity. This article deals with biomass fluidization and its combustion in a fluidized bed. The difficulties encountered during biomass combustion and different solutions for the same have been highlighted. Problems like deposition, corrosion, agglomeration and trace metal emission have been discussed and their remedies to avoid the discontinuity in the operation of biomass-fired fluidized bed combustor. This technical approach will help to reduce environmental problems, improve the economic structure of the nation, and remove obstacles for sustainable energy development.
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