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Experimental study on combustion characteristics of volatiles and residual solids in ammonia co-firing with biomass pellets

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Xinyu
  • Ma, Teng
  • Sun, Jianchao
  • Liu, Huan
  • Chen, Yumin
  • Liu, Yang
  • Yu, Bo
  • Zhai, Ming
  • Zhou, Huaichun

Abstract

Co-firing ammonia (NH3) with biomass is a promising approach for clean boiler applications. Biomass has low-energy density, and NH3 exhibits weak combustion efficiency and stability. However, biomass pelletization pre-treatment can improve fuel properties, and increased volatile release during combustion stabilize NH3 burning. To investigate effect of NH3 on biomass pellet combustion, biomass pellet co-firing with NH3 experimental system was built. The study examined the influence of ammonia content (AC = 0–100 mL/min) on flame characteristics and analyzed residue morphology and elemental composition. The results showed that NH3 addition extended volatile combustion duration (1.8–8.0 s). For rice husk pellets (RHP), corn straw pellets (CSP), and poplar wood pellets (PWP), the longest durations were at AC = 75, 50, and 50 mL/min, reaching 48.4 s, 50.9 s, and 51.5 s, respectively. NH3 delayed ignition by 0–4.6 s. Flame height increased for RHP, while it decreased by 38 % for PWP. Increasing AC reduced soot formation in RHP and CSP, but showed stage-dependent effects on PWP. At AC = 50 mL/min, PWP exhibited a higher mass loss rate, and residues had different elemental compositions. This study provides insights for optimizing ammonia-biomass co-firing and advancing decarbonization in the power industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Xinyu & Ma, Teng & Sun, Jianchao & Liu, Huan & Chen, Yumin & Liu, Yang & Yu, Bo & Zhai, Ming & Zhou, Huaichun, 2025. "Experimental study on combustion characteristics of volatiles and residual solids in ammonia co-firing with biomass pellets," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:339:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225046341
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.138992
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    References listed on IDEAS

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