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Image Processing Technique for Enhanced Combustion Efficiency of Wood Pellets

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Gasperini

    (Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy)

  • Andrea Pizzi

    (Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy)

  • Lucia Olivi

    (Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Toscano

    (Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy)

  • Alessio Ilari

    (Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy)

  • Daniele Duca

    (Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy)

Abstract

The combustion efficiency of wood pellets is partly affected by their average length. The ISO 17829 standard defines the methodology for assessing the average length of sample pellets, but the method does not always lead to representative data. Furthermore, a standard analysis is time-consuming as it requires manual measurement of the pellets using a caliper. This paper, whilst evaluating the effect of pellet length on combustion efficiency, proposes a pending-patented dimensional image processing method (DIP) for assessing pellet length. DIP allows the dimensional data of grouped and stacked pellets to be obtained by exploiting the shadows produced by pellets when exposed to a light source, assuming that different-sized pellets produce different shadows. Thus, the proposed method allows for the extraction of dimensional information from non-distinct objects, overcoming the reliance of classical image processing methods on object distance for effective segmentation. Combustion tests, carried out using pellets varying only in length, confirmed the influence of length on combustion efficiency. Shorter pellets, compared to longer ones, significantly reduced CO emissions by up to 94% (mg/MJ). However, they exhibited a higher fuel mass consumption rate (kg/h), with an increase of up to 22.8% compared to the longest sample. In addition, longer pellets produced fewer but larger shadows than shorter ones. Further studies are needed to correlate the number and size of shadows with samples’ average length so that DIP could be implemented in stoves and programmed to communicate with the control unit and automatically optimize the setting in order to improve combustion efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Gasperini & Andrea Pizzi & Lucia Olivi & Giuseppe Toscano & Alessio Ilari & Daniele Duca, 2024. "Image Processing Technique for Enhanced Combustion Efficiency of Wood Pellets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:23:p:6144-:d:1537724
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Whittaker, Carly & Shield, Ian, 2017. "Factors affecting wood, energy grass and straw pellet durability – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 1-11.
    2. Giuseppe Toscano & Elena Leoni & Carmine De Francesco & Giacomo Ciccone & Thomas Gasperini, 2023. "The Application of Image Acquisition and Processing Techniques for the Determination of Wooden Pellet Length as an Alternative to ISO 17829," Resources, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-12, October.
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