Citation

Rossi, A., Fuel characteristics of wood and nonwood biomass fuels. Progress in Biomass Conversion 5: 69-99, 1984.

Abstract

V. Conclusions This chapter has attempted to present the chemical and physical properties of wood and agricultural residues important to fuel behavior. There is a significant potential for agricultural residues in reducing fossil fuel consumption in the food processing industry as well as use in stand-alone power plants. However, there are certain environmental related problems that must be overcome before these fuels become widely accepted as previously indicated.

To facilitate the use of agricultural as well as wood fuels much research is needed. A list of specific research needs for both agricultural and wood residue is listed below.

1. Establishing a data base of test results by residue type and region of the United States. This data base should have some degree of statistical significance.

2. Develop standard test procedures similar to ASTM standards to coal. This is needed because of the high volatile-to-fixed carbon ratio and the low specific gravity of biomass residues.

3. Perform micro-analysis of biomass fuels to determine where the ash, nitrogen, and sulfur are concentrated.

4. Provide testing for the difference between the inherent and entrained ash content of the material as a means of choosing optimal collection and storage methods.

5. Use the lignin and holocellulose determination to relate the lignin to holocellulose ratio to the volatile to fixed carbon ratio and H/C and O/C ratio for both agricultural and wood residues.

6. Perform elemental analysis of the ash to facilitate compliance with federal and state regulations for solid waste disposal.

7. Perform experimental combustion of the various residues to determine the amount of nitrogen and sulfur converted to oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulfur, respectively, as a function of combustion methods and conditions. This could involve testing existing commercial units.

8. Determine the applicability of the forms of sulfur analysis to biomass fuels as a means of predicting sulfur oxide emission levels.

9. Perform thermogravametric analysis as a tool in determining the rate of weight loss of a fuel under various combinations of reducing and oxidizing atmospheres.

10. Perform differential scanning calorimetry as a means of measuring the rate of heat release under various combinations of reducing and oxidizing atmospheres.

11. Establish computer models using data from the thermogravometric, differential scanning calorimeter, and other tests to predict heat release rates, chemical reactions in the fuel bed, and the emissions formed.

Country, State, District, etc.

United States

Language

English

Material

rice hulls, general

Use category

energy production