An overview of biomass combustion technologies with an emphasis on those for agricultural biomass

Nowadays increasing energy needs are experienced, while facing environmental issues as air pollution, global warming and acid rains. Due to many disadvantages of fossil fuels biomass is considered as a possible replacement. For energy purpose biomass could be used in direct combustion or in biogas and biodiesel production. This paper provides a review of different direct biomass combustion technologies, with emphasis on agricultural residual biomass as an energy source. Properties of biomass being used directly affect design of combustion furnace and operating parameter. Many agricultural raw materials which might be considered as a potential waste in fact have a great energy potential and when used for combustion this waste management problem can be reduced or even solved. With biomass usage potential issues are present as storage, high moisture contents, lower heating values and possible high emission of NOx during the combustion. New promising technologies and conventional combustion systems have been considered, among which are furnaces with combustion on grade, pulverized combustion, combustion in the fluidized bed and combustion in pushing furnace. Different agricultural biomass types are contemplated, alongside with applied technologies. Systematic comparison of described technologies is given in accordance with several different criteria, including overview of advantages and disadvantages. To achieve sustainable energy development, new technologies are necessary as well as advancement of the existing ones. In order for that to be achieved, it is important to systematize and categorize biomass combustion technologies.ISAE 2021 : 5th international symposium on agricultural engineering : proceedings; September 30th - October 2nd, 2021; Belgrade, Serbi