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Almond Shells and Exhausted Olive Cake as Fuels for Biomass Domestic Boilers: Optimization, Performance and Pollutant Emissions

Author

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  • Rocío Collado

    (Instituto de Investigación en Energías Renovables, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, Spain)

  • Esperanza Monedero

    (Instituto de Investigación en Energías Renovables, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, Spain)

  • Víctor Manuel Casero-Alonso

    (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Industrial, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • Licesio J. Rodríguez-Aragón

    (Escuela de Ingeniería Industrial y Aeroespacial, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain)

  • Juan José Hernández

    (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Industrial, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

Abstract

The combustion of two non-woody types of biomass (almond shells and exhausted olive cake) in a domestic boiler at different loads was studied in order to evaluate their suitability as fuels. To select the optimal boiler operating conditions (excess air, primary/secondary air ratio and grate vibration), which allows for lower CO and particulate matter emissions for each biomass and load, a statistical design of experiments was performed. Similar optimal operating conditions were found for both fuels at nominal load (excess air: 1.5, primary/secondary air ratio: 20/80), the grate vibration being the only parameter to be modified due to the different ash content (45 and 20 s for almond shells and exhausted olive cake, respectively). At partial load, a slightly higher excess air (1.6) and a higher proportion of primary air (50/50) were needed in the case of almond shells. Results showed higher CO and lower NO x and PM emissions at partial load for both fuels. The high ash content of exhausted olive cake deteriorated its combustion process (accumulated ashes were observed in the fireplace). Gaseous and solid emissions did not fulfil the UNE-EN 303-5 limits for any fuel or condition; although, almond shells seem to be a much more suitable fuel since they could be used just blended with a small quantity of a high-quality biomass or additive. However, exhausted olive cake not only led to a very poor efficiency at partial load (74%), clearly below the minimum required by the standard (77%), but also to an unacceptable pollutant emission level. So, this latter fuel would require a high blending ratio with another type of biomass, pre-treatments for reducing the alkali compounds and/or significant technological modifications allowing for a proper ash handling.

Suggested Citation

  • Rocío Collado & Esperanza Monedero & Víctor Manuel Casero-Alonso & Licesio J. Rodríguez-Aragón & Juan José Hernández, 2022. "Almond Shells and Exhausted Olive Cake as Fuels for Biomass Domestic Boilers: Optimization, Performance and Pollutant Emissions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-17, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:12:p:7271-:d:838309
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katarzyna Widera & Jacek Grabowski & Adam Smoliński, 2022. "The Application of Statistical Methods in the Construction of a Model for Identifying the Combustion of Waste in Heating Boilers Based on the Elemental Composition of Ashes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Monedero, Esperanza & Pazo, Amparo & Collado, Rocío & Dura, Oscar J. & Hernández, Juan José, 2024. "Analysis of fouling in domestic boilers fueled with non-woody biomass," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).

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