Potential applications of renewable energy sources, biomass combustion problems in boiler power systems and combustion related environmental issues

doi:10.1016/j.pecs.2005.02.002

Progress in Energy and Combustion Science

Volume 31, Issue 2, 2005, Pages 171-192

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2005.02.002 Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper describes the potential applications of renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuel combustion as the prime energy sources in various countries, and discusses problems associated with biomass combustion in boiler power systems. Here, the term biomass includes organic matter produced as a result of photosynthesis as well as municipal, industrial and animal waste material. Brief summaries of the basic concepts involved in the combustion of biomass fuels are presented. Renewable energy sources (RES) supply 14% of the total world energy demand. RES are biomass, hydropower, geothermal, solar, wind and marine energies. The renewables are the primary, domestic and clean or inexhaustible energy resources. The percentage share of biomass was 62.1% of total renewable energy sources in 1995. Experimental results for a large variety of biomass fuels and conditions are presented. Numerical studies are also discussed. Biomass is an attractive renewable fuel in utility boilers. The compositions of biomass among fuel types are variable. Ash composition for the biomass is fundamentally different from ash composition for the coal. Especially inorganic constituents cause to critical problems of toxic emissions, fouling and slagging. Metals in ash, in combination with other fuel elements such as silica and sulfur, and facilitated by the presence of chlorine, are responsible for many undesirable reactions in combustion furnaces and power boilers. Elements including K, Na, S, Cl, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Si are involved in reactions leading to ash fouling and slagging in biomass combustors. Chlorine in the biomass may affect operation by corrosion. Ash deposits reduce heat transfer and may also result in severe corrosion at high temperatures. Other influences of biomass composition are observed for the rates of combustion and pollutant emissions. Biomass combustion systems are non-polluting and offer significant protection of the environment. The reduction of greenhouse gases pollution is the main advantage of utilizing biomass energy.

Introduction

Energy resources will play an important role in the world's future. Energy is considered a prime agent in the generation of wealth and a significant factor in economic development. There are many alternative new and renewable energy sources which can be used instead of fossil and conventional fuels. The energy resources have been split into three categories: fossil fuels, renewable resources, and nuclear resources [1]. The decision as to what types of energy source should be utilized must, in each case, be made on the basis of economic, social, environmental and safety considerations. The importance of energy in economic development is recognized universally and historical data verify that there is a strong relationship between the availability of energy and economic activity [2].

Renewable energy resources are also often called alternative sources of energy. Renewable energy resources that use domestic resources have the potential to provide energy services with zero or almost zero emissions of both air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Renewable energy technologies produce marketable energy by converting natural phenomena into useful forms of energy. These technologies use the sun's energy and its direct and indirect effects on the earth (solar radiation, wind, falling water and various plants, i.e. biomass), gravitational forces (tides), and the heat of the earth's core (geothermal) as the resources from which energy is produced [2].

A worldwide research and development in the field of renewable energy sources (RES) and systems is carried out during the last two decades. At the end of 2001 the total installed capacity of renewable energy systems was equivalent to 9% of the total electricity generation [3]. By applying a renewable energy intensive scenario the global consumption of renewable sources by 2050 would reach 318 exajoules (1 exajoule=10¹⁸ J) [4].

Section snippets

Renewable energy resources

Currently, renewable energy resources supply 14% of the total world energy demand. RES contributed 2% of the world's energy consumption in 1998, including seven exajoules from modern biomass and two exajoules for all other renewables [5]. The RES are readily available in nature. Increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses increase the amount of heat trapped (or decrease the heat radiated from the earths surface), thereby raising the surface temperature of the earth [2]. RES are

Biomass combustion

The point where the cost of producing energy from fossil fuels exceeds the cost of biomass fuels has been reached. With a few exceptions, energy from fossil fuels will cost more money than the same amount of energy supplied through biomass conversion. Because of the concern over global warming, there is considerable worldwide interest in increased utilization of renewable energy sources, including biomass fuels. Biomass not only has considerable potential as a fuel source, it also shows a

Energy related environmental issues

The presence in the atmosphere of one or more contaminants in such quality and for such duration as is injurious, or tends to be injurious, to human health or welfare, animal or plant life. It is the contamination of air by the discharge of harmful substances. Air pollution can cause health problems and it can also damage the environment and property. It has caused thinning of the protective ozone layer of the atmosphere, which is leading to climate change.

Air quality standard (AQS) is the

Environmental problems

Global warming has been increasingly associated with the contribution of CO₂. The gases (they consist of three or more atoms) with higher heat capacities than those of O₂ and N₂ cause greenhouse effect. $\begin{array}{l} {CH}_{4} + 2 O_{2} & \to & {CO}_{2} + 2 H_{2} O \\ 1.00 g & 2.75 g \end{array}$

$\begin{array}{l} {2C}_{4} H_{10} + 13 O_{2} & \to & {8CO}_{2} + 10 H_{2} O \\ 1.00 g & 3.03 g \end{array}$

$\begin{array}{l} C + O_{2} & \to & {CO}_{2} \\ 1.00 g & 3.66 g \end{array}$

From Eq. (2), among the fossil fuels, natural gas is the least responsible for CO₂ emissions. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) causes higher CO₂ than that of natural gas Eq. (3). The highest amount of CO₂ occurs according to

Conclusion

The use of biomass energy has many unique qualities that provide environmental benefits. It can help mitigate climate change, reduce acid rain, soil erosion, water pollution and pressure on landfills, provide wildlife habitat, and help maintain forest health through better management.

Modern boilers usually produce heat, steam or electricity. Direct combustion systems vary considerably in their design. The fuel choice makes a difference in the design and efficiency of the combustion system.

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Potential applications of renewable energy sources, biomass combustion problems in boiler power systems and combustion related environmental issues

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Renewable energy resources

Biomass combustion

Energy related environmental issues

Environmental problems

Conclusion

Prog Energy Combust Sci

Renew Sustain Energy Rev

Renew Sustain Energy Rev

Progress Energy Combus Sci

Energy

Energy Policy

Fuel Process Technol

Progress Energy Combust Sci

Fuel Process Technol

Fuel Process Technol

Fuel Process Technol

J Anal Appl Pyrolysis

Biomass Bioenergy

Energy Convers Manage

Fuel

Fuel Process Technol

Fuel

Fuel

Chemosphere

Biores. Technol

Fuel Process. Technol

Analytica Chimica Acta

Chemosphere

Biomass Bioenergy

Biomass Bioenergy

Fuel Processing Technol

Biomass Bioenergy

Fuel

Environ Pollut

Cement Conc Res

Biomass Bioenergy

Biomass Bioenergy

Energy Convers Manage

Recent advances in biomass conversion technologies

Energy Edu Sci Technol

Renewable fuels and electricity for a growing world economy

World energy assessment 2000—energy and the challenge of sustainability

Biomass utilization facilities and biomass processing technologies

Energy Edu Sci Technol

Biomass resources for energy and chemical industry

Energy Edu Sci Technol

US energy atlas