An overview of the chemical composition of biomass

Currently, fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas represent the prime energy sources in the world. However, it is anticipated that these sources of energy will deplete within the next 40–50 years. Moreover, the expected environmental damages such as the global warming, acid rain and urban smog due to the production of emissions from these sources have tempted the world to try to reduce carbon emissions by 80% and shift towards utilizing a variety of renewable energy resources (RES) which are less environmentally harmful such as solar, wind, biomass etc. in a sustainable way. Biomass is one of the earliest sources of energy with very specific properties. In this review, several aspects which are associated with burning biomass in boilers have been investigated such as composition of biomass, estimating the higher heating value of biomass, comparison between biomass and other fuels, combustion of biomass, co-firing of biomass and coal, impacts of biomass, economic and social analysis of biomass, transportation of biomass, densification of biomass, problems of biomass and future of biomass. It has been found that utilizing biomass in boilers offers many economical, social and environmental benefits such as financial net saving, conservation of fossil fuel resources, job opportunities creation and CO 2 and NO x emissions reduction. However, care should be taken to other environmental impacts of biomass such as land and water resources, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and deforestation. Fouling, marketing, low heating value, storage and collections and handling are all associated problems when burning biomass in boilers. The future of biomass in boilers depends upon the development of the markets for fossil fuels and on policy decisions regarding the biomass market.

A review on biomass as a fuel for boilers

This book offers comprehensive coverage of the design, analysis, and operational aspects of biomass gasification, the key technology enabling the production of biofuels from all viable sources--some examples being sugar cane and switchgrass. This versatile resource not only explains the basic principles of energy conversion systems, but also provides valuable insight into the design of biomass gasifiers. The author provides many worked out design problems, step-by-step design procedures and real data on commercially operating systems. After fossil fuels, biomass is the most widely used fuel in the world. Biomass resources show a considerable potential in the long term if residues are properly handled and dedicated energy crops are grown. 5 years of the author's research in the area Biomass fuel production First book devoted to Biomass Gasification Includes step-by-design procedures, cases studies and worked out numerical examples

Biomass Gasification and Pyrolysis: Practical Design and Theory

An overview of the organic and inorganic phase composition of biomass

http://ira.lib.polyu.edu.hk/bitstream/10397/66328/1/Chen_Review_Biomass_Burning.pdf

A review of biomass burning: Emissions and impacts on air quality, health and climate in China

Introduction. Biomass Fuel Properties and Basic Principles of Biomass Combustion. Biomass Fuel Supply and Pre-treatment. Domestic Wood-Burning Appliances. Combustion Technologies for Industrial and District Heating Systems. Power Generation and Co-generation. Co-combustion. Biomass Ash Characteristics and Behaviour in Combustion Systems. Environmental Aspects of Biomass Combustion. Policies. Research and Development: Needs and Ongoing Activities. Index

The Handbook of Biomass Combustion and Co-firing

INTRODUCTION Biomass materials contain signifi cant levels of inorganic matter as impurities, and many of the practical problems encountered with the combustion of biomass materials are associated with the nature and behaviour of the biomass ash and the inorganic constituents. Practical problems encountered are: • the formation of fused or partly-fused ash agglomerates and slag deposits at high temperatures within furnaces; • the formation of bonded ash deposits at lower gas temperatures on the heat exchange surfaces in the boiler convective sections, and elsewhere; • the accelerated metal wastage of boiler components due to gas-side corrosion and erosion; • the formation and emission of sub-micron aerosols and fumes; and • the handling and the utilisation/disposal of ash residues from biomass combustion plants, and of the mixed ash residues from the co-fi ring of biomass in coal-fi red boilers.

Jaap Koppejan

Papers

The Handbook of Biomass Combustion and Co-firing

Biomass Ash Characteristics and Behaviour in Combustion Systems

Biomass Fuel Supply and Pre-treatment

Environmental Aspects of Biomass Combustion