Abstract
Suitability of agro-pellets for small scale heat generation has been evaluated via their physico-mechanical and chemical characterization. Nine biomass pellets were selected to represent a wide range of biomass resources i.e. apple pomace (Malus domestica), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), pectin waste from citrus shells (Citrus reticulata), sunflower husk (Helianthus annuus), peat, two straw pellets and two wood pellets.
Results were compared with concerned standards/quality labels. Quality requirements of DINplus are the most stringent and are very close to prEN14961-2. For all agro-pellets, sulphur and nitrogen contents were reported that were higher than the permissible limits of prEN14961-2/DINplus, except reed canary grass pellets (RCG). The so-called gross calorific value (GCV) is the enthalpy of complete combustion of a fuel including the condensation enthalpy of formed water. It could be concluded that agro-pellets with higher GCV do not necessarily constitute the best option, as far as small scale heat generation is concerned. Higher ash content of agro-pellets- as compared to wood pellets- was reported. RGR and pectin pellets seem promising with relatively low ash, sulphur and nitrogen contents. Appropriate measures should be taken while using straw pellets for small scale combustions because of higher sulphur and ash content.
The GCV of agro-pellets were estimated using nine existing empirical equations and resultant, two equations (10 & 11) have been proposed which estimate the GCV of most agro-pellets within 2% of the obtained experimental values (except straw pellets with equation 10). The present study also broadens the applicability of existing empirical equations for estimation of GCV of agro-pellets.
Results were compared with concerned standards/quality labels. Quality requirements of DINplus are the most stringent and are very close to prEN14961-2. For all agro-pellets, sulphur and nitrogen contents were reported that were higher than the permissible limits of prEN14961-2/DINplus, except reed canary grass pellets (RCG). The so-called gross calorific value (GCV) is the enthalpy of complete combustion of a fuel including the condensation enthalpy of formed water. It could be concluded that agro-pellets with higher GCV do not necessarily constitute the best option, as far as small scale heat generation is concerned. Higher ash content of agro-pellets- as compared to wood pellets- was reported. RGR and pectin pellets seem promising with relatively low ash, sulphur and nitrogen contents. Appropriate measures should be taken while using straw pellets for small scale combustions because of higher sulphur and ash content.
The GCV of agro-pellets were estimated using nine existing empirical equations and resultant, two equations (10 & 11) have been proposed which estimate the GCV of most agro-pellets within 2% of the obtained experimental values (except straw pellets with equation 10). The present study also broadens the applicability of existing empirical equations for estimation of GCV of agro-pellets.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | International Conference on Applied Energy-Singapore |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
| Event | Finds and Results from the Swedish Cyprus Expedition: A Gender Perspective at the Medelhavsmuseet - Stockholm, Sweden Duration: 21 Sept 2009 → 25 Sept 2009 |
Conference
| Conference | Finds and Results from the Swedish Cyprus Expedition: A Gender Perspective at the Medelhavsmuseet |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Sweden |
| City | Stockholm |
| Period | 21/09/09 → 25/09/09 |
Keywords
- Agricultural residues; agro-pellets;
- gross calorific value; net calorific value
- multi-heat boiler.