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Viability of Agricultural and Forestry Residues as Biomass Fuels in the Galicia-North Portugal Region: An Experimental Study

Author

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  • Juan Jesús Rico

    (CINTECX, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende, s/n, Vigo, 36310 Pontevedra, Spain)

  • Raquel Pérez-Orozco

    (CINTECX, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende, s/n, Vigo, 36310 Pontevedra, Spain)

  • Natalia Cid

    (CINTECX, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende, s/n, Vigo, 36310 Pontevedra, Spain)

  • Ana Larrañaga

    (CINTECX, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende, s/n, Vigo, 36310 Pontevedra, Spain)

  • José Luis Míguez Tabarés

    (CINTECX, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende, s/n, Vigo, 36310 Pontevedra, Spain)

Abstract

In this study, an experimental approach was utilized to assess the viability of three biomass fuels in a small laboratory-scale combustor. Three feedstocks currently considered as residues were selected based on their widespread presence in the Euroregion Galicia-North Portugal, and some were modified to improve their behavior by removing fine particles or adding substances to increase the melting point of the ashes. The experimental facility was a highly modifiable, fixed-bed combustor with air-staging capabilities and a wide array of sensors intended to measure a large quantity of parameters. A series of tests was performed to cover the widest range of total air flows possible for the facility, with values of 0.223, 0.279 and 0.334 kg/m²s being used, while 30% of the total air flow enters from below the combustion bed and 70% over it. Results from the proximate and elemental analyses show high proportions of ash in every fuel compared to commercial wood pellets, and empirical deposition indexes suggest a high risk of fouling and slagging. Testing confirmed the analysis predictions, resulting in the kiwi- and vine-based fuels not being suitable for a facility without ash elimination systems. Some modifications of the gorse fuel showed improved behavior compared to unmodified gorse fuel, namely, the addition of a 2% mass fraction of CaCO 3 and the removal of fine particles. The former prevented ash sintering, and the latter greatly decreased the fouling of the heat exchanger tubes. These results suggest that some of the vegetal species studied might be suitable for their use in small-scale biomass burners, and besides the accuracy of one of the deposition indexes used is confirmed.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Jesús Rico & Raquel Pérez-Orozco & Natalia Cid & Ana Larrañaga & José Luis Míguez Tabarés, 2020. "Viability of Agricultural and Forestry Residues as Biomass Fuels in the Galicia-North Portugal Region: An Experimental Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:19:p:8206-:d:423985
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lara Febrero & Enrique Granada & David Patiño & Pablo Eguía & Araceli Regueiro, 2015. "A Comparative Study of Fouling and Bottom Ash from Woody Biomass Combustion in a Fixed-Bed Small-Scale Boiler and Evaluation of the Analytical Techniques Used," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-19, May.
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    1. César Álvarez-Bermúdez & Sergio Chapela & Luis G. Varela & Miguel Ángel Gómez, 2021. "CFD Simulation of an Internally Cooled Biomass Fixed-Bed Combustion Plant," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Natalia Cid & Juan Jesús Rico & Raquel Pérez-Orozco & Ana Larrañaga, 2021. "Experimental Study of the Performance of a Laboratory-Scale ESP with Biomass Combustion: Discharge Electrode Disposition, Dynamic Control Unit and Aging Effect," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-12, September.

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