Advances in Biomass Co-Combustion with Fossil Fuels in the European Context: A Review

Variny, Miroslav; Varga, Augustín; Rimár, Miroslav; Janošovský, Ján; Kizek, Ján; Lukáč, Ladislav; Jablonský, Gustáv; Mierka, Otto

doi:10.3390/pr9010100

Cited by 49 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 187 publications

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“…As a solid fuel, fossil-based fuels are still dominating this sector for power generation and heat. However, biomass utilisation in the co-combustion along with fossil-based fuel is seen as a cost-effective and interesting option (Variny et al 2021). Co-combustion of those two feedstocks offers higher power generation than biomass alone, and biomass ash is acting as a sulphur capture and mitigates the sulphur oxide emissions.…”

Section: Direct Combustionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conversion of biomass to biofuels and life cycle assessment: a review

et al. 2021

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The global energy demand is projected to rise by almost 28% by 2040 compared to current levels. Biomass is a promising energy source for producing either solid or liquid fuels. Biofuels are alternatives to fossil fuels to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Nonetheless, policy decisions for biofuels should be based on evidence that biofuels are produced in a sustainable manner. To this end, life cycle assessment (LCA) provides information on environmental impacts associated with biofuel production chains. Here, we review advances in biomass conversion to biofuels and their environmental impact by life cycle assessment. Processes are gasification, combustion, pyrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis routes and fermentation. Thermochemical processes are classified into low temperature, below 300 °C, and high temperature, higher than 300 °C, i.e. gasification, combustion and pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is promising because it operates at a relatively lower temperature of up to 500 °C, compared to gasification, which operates at 800–1300 °C. We focus on 1) the drawbacks and advantages of the thermochemical and biochemical conversion routes of biomass into various fuels and the possibility of integrating these routes for better process efficiency; 2) methodological approaches and key findings from 40 LCA studies on biomass to biofuel conversion pathways published from 2019 to 2021; and 3) bibliometric trends and knowledge gaps in biomass conversion into biofuels using thermochemical and biochemical routes. The integration of hydrothermal and biochemical routes is promising for the circular economy.

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Section: Direct Combustionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conversion of biomass to biofuels and life cycle assessment: a review

et al. 2021

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“…They are separated according to the temperature of the fuel during the combustion process. Additionally, it can be considered through the prism the feed availability, its pretreatment, fuel properties, and combustor types, followed by operational issues, greenhouse gases, and other harmful emissions trends, as well as ash properties and use [28]. Three characteristic stages can be distinguished [29]:…”

Section: The Technology Of Wood Combustion Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the Efficiency of a Batch Boiler and Emissions of Harmful Substances during Combustion of Various Types of Wood

et al. 2021

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In the paper, the authors focused on the environmental problems of pollution emissions caused by households using batch boilers fired with solid fuels. The aim of this study is to analyse the course of changes in the actual efficiency and emission of a solid fuel updraft boiler, the most popular type of batch boilers used in Poland in recent years. The subject of analysis is the comparison of the values of atmospheric emissions of harmful substances depending on the type of wood burnt in the boiler. The investigation comprises the combustion characteristics of three types of woody biomass (in billets), i.e., pine, birch, and beech. Based on the carried out research of all billets, the beech has the lowest values of CO (3497 mg/m3) and particulate matter (116.9 mg/m3). Despite this, obtained results exceed the current permissible limits based on the standard PN:EN 303-5:2012. The highest efficiency (54.13%) was obtained for birch billets, the lowest for pine (45.13%). The research has shown that the real heating efficiency during the combustion of wood, irrespective of the type of wood being burnt, is low. To summarise, the outdated installations contribute to air pollution several times higher, which indicates the need to replace inefficient heat sources using solid fuels with modern equipment that meets the most stringent standards.

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“…The aim of the work was to investigate the impact of the amount of biomass in the co-combustion process on the boiler efficiency and the emission of selected gas pollutants. The topics of cofiring of biomass with coal have been described in many articles [14,[18][19][20][21]. This article examines a boiler that operated below the nominal heat load, which is extremely important from the cognitive point of view.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-Combustion of Biomass with Coal in Grate Water Boilers at Low Load Boiler Operation

Nowak

Rabczak

2021

Energies

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Environmental protection, and in particular air protection against pollution, is an extremely important element of the global policy of many countries. The problem of air pollution is particularly important in Poland, where the heating market is one of the largest in Europe and is based in 74% on the use of fossil fuels, in particular hard coal. One of the technological solutions for the implementation of cleaner fuels is the co-combustion of coal and biomass. This process enables the reduction of harmful pollutants such as CO2, SO2, and can be implemented in existing boilers. Heating boilers achieve the highest design efficiency during optimal load at the level of 85–95% of nominal power. Under such conditions, heat production is most efficient. During operation, boilers are often started, extinguished or run below rated output, resulting in increased emissions. This publication presents the results of measurements of efficiency and concentrations of pollutants in the WR water boiler during operation below the technical minimum. Hard coal was cofired in the boiler with biomass of wood origin. It was noted that the amount of biomass had a significant impact on the boiler efficiency and pollutant emission. Based on the research, it was also noted that it was possible to make a qualitative prediction of these parameters. The obtained results are an introduction to a deeper analysis and further research on the correlation between the amount of biomass and boiler power and the efficiency and concentration of pollutants.

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Advances in Biomass Co-Combustion with Fossil Fuels in the European Context: A Review

Cited by 49 publications

References 187 publications

Conversion of biomass to biofuels and life cycle assessment: a review

Conversion of biomass to biofuels and life cycle assessment: a review

Analysis of the Efficiency of a Batch Boiler and Emissions of Harmful Substances during Combustion of Various Types of Wood

Co-Combustion of Biomass with Coal in Grate Water Boilers at Low Load Boiler Operation

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