Influence of firebed temperature on inorganic particle emissions in a residential wood pellet boiler. (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gehrig, Matthias; Jaeger, Dirk; Pelz, Stefan K.; Weissinger, Alexander; Groll, Andreas; Thorwarth, Harald; Haslinger, Walter
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric environment. Volume 136(2016)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 67
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: Combustion aerosols -- Biomass combustion -- Pellet boiler -- Firebed temperature -- Ash chemistry; Air -- Pollution -- Periodicals; Air -- Pollution -- Meteorological aspects -- Periodicals; 551.51
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.04.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-2310

Abstract

Abstract: The temperature-dependent release of inorganic elements is the first step of the main formation pathway of particle emissions in automatically fired biomass burners. To investigate this step, a residential pellet boiler with an underfeed-burner was equipped with a direct firebed cooling. This test setup enabled decreased firebed temperatures without affecting further parameters like air flow rates or oxygen content in the firebed. A reduction of particle emissions in PM1 -fraction at activated firebed cooling was found by impactor measurement and by optical particle counter. The affected particles were found in the size range <0.3 μm and have been composed mainly of potassium chloride (KCl). The chemical analysis of PM1 and boiler ash showed no statistically significant differences due to the firebed cooling. Therefore, our results indicate that the direct firebed cooling influenced the release of potassium (K) without affecting other chemical reactions. Highlights: Water-based firebed cooling to investigate the influence of firebed temperature. Firebed cooling influences emissions of particles <0.3 μm. Particles <0.3 μm mainly consist of KCl. Firebed cooling had no significant influence on PM1 and boiler ash chemistry.