Particulate emissions from small-scale biomass combustion

Abstract

An increased use of small-scale biomass combustion can result in higher ambient concentrations of particulate matter. The objective with this investigation is to characterise the emissions of particulates as well as gases from smaller district heating plants (2-3 MW) where the particle separation is limited to cyclones. The particle measurements were performed downstream the cyclones. The particle number size distributions were found to be dominated by submicron particles with peaks in the size range of 0.1-0.3 \ub5m. The dust emissions were in the range of 60-200 mg/mn3 at 13% CO2. The number concentrations during normal operation are 107per cm3. The influence of load, excess air and fuel quality is discussed. In addition, results are reported for gaseous pollutants, i.e. CO/CO2, THC (total hydrocarbons), CH4 (methane), C2H4 (ethene), NOx and NH3 (ammonia)