Biomass and Bioenergy 27 (2004) 145 – 154

Combustion optimisation of biomass residue pellets for

domestic heating with a mural boiler
Juan F. Gonz%aleza;∗ , Carmen M. Gonz%alez-Garc%)aa , Antonio Ramiroa ,
Jer%onimo Gonz%alezb , Eduardo Sabioa , Jos%e Gañ%ana , Miguel A. Rodr%)gueza
a Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Industrial Engineering School, University of Extremadura,
Avda Elvas s/n, Badajoz 06071, Spain
b Department of Intensive Crops. Technological Research and Development Service, Extremadura Regional Council,

“La Orden” Farm, Guadajira 06187, (Badajoz), Spain

Received 10 June 2003; received in revised form 10 December 2003; accepted 15 January 2004

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to optimise the combustion process of di4erent residues in a 11:6 kW mural boiler for
domestic heating. The fuels used were pellets from three biomass residues (tomato, olive stone and cardoon (Cynara
cardunculus L.)) and the forest pellet recommended by the boiler manufacturer. Previously, the fuels were characterised
by means of the higher heating value, proximate and ultimate analyses. The in:uence of the residue type, fuel mass :ow,
draught and residue mixture on the combustion parameters was studied. A TESTO 300 M-I analyzer was used to determine
the principal parameters of the combustion process (CO2 , CO and O2 contents, fumes temperature, not-burnt gaseous and
sensitive heat losses in the fumes, volumetric :ow rate and velocity of the fumes, air excess coe=cient, e=ciency). The
behaviour of the three residues is similar to that of the forest pellet. The boiler e=ciencies obtained with the maximum fuel
mass :ow (100%) and minimum draught (0%) were 90%, 90.5%, 89.7% and 91.6% for tomato, forest, olive stone and
cardoon pellets, respectively. The optimum residue mixture was tomato (75%) and forest (25%) with a boiler e=ciency of
92.4% for a mass :ow and draught of 75% and 0%, respectively.
? 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Biomass combustion; Pellets; Agricultural and forestry residues; E=ciency

1. Introduction [1]. In the future, biomass combustion will play an

As energy demands increase, it is necessary to meet
new energy technologies with improved e=ciency and
minimum environmental impact. The use of renew-
able energies, including biomass, will minimise the
greenhouse e4ect which may a4ect the global climate
∗ Corresponding author. Fax: +34-92-428-9601.
E-mail address: jfelixgg@unex.es (J.F. Gonz%alez).
important role in energy production to obtain elec-
tricity or heating. But the variability in properties of
biomass fuels is great and may signiHcantly in:uence
the e=ciency and environmental impacts associated
with their utilisation [2]. A positive aspect in favour of
the use of biomass with energetic aims is its environ-
mental friendliness. In general, biomass residues have
lower nitrogen and sulphur content than fossil fuels,
and do not contribute to increase “acid rain” in the ar-
eas near a combustion installation. NOx emissions are

0961-9534/$ - see front matter ? 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2004.01.004
146 J.F. Gonz6alez et al. / Biomass and Bioenergy 27 (2004) 145 – 154
lower than in the case of fossil fuels because the com-
bustion temperature is lower; the ash content is also
lower and does not contribute to increase the “green-
house” e4ect as the same amount of CO2 generated in
its combustion is taken up during plant growth. An-
other reason to use biomass as an energy source is the
derived problems in the agricultural sector in Western
Europe, such as the production of food surpluses, the
depopulation of rural areas and the payment of signiH-
cant subsidies to keep land fallow [3]. Biomass is also
an indigenous energy source, available in most coun-
tries and its application may diversify the fuel-supply
in many situations, which in turn may lead to a more
secure energy supply [3]. Biomass production with
energy aims can generate employment and if inten-
sive agriculture is replaced by less intensively man-
aged energy crops, there are likely to be environmental
beneHts, such as reduced leaching of fertilisers and
use of pesticides [3].
Recently, several researchers have published papers
justifying the advantages of biomass use with energy
aims. Some authors have evaluated the possibilities
and technologies of biomass Hred or coHred with coal
combustion [2–6]; other authors have used numerical
modelling and TGA/FTIR/GCMS analyses to study
the combustion process [7,8]. Kinetic parameters have
also been determined [9] as well as the in:uence of
di4erent operating variables such as fuel composition,
wood fuel type and primary air velocity [10,11].
Extremadura (SW Spain), an eminently agricultural
and cattle raising region, generates a great amount
of agricultural and forest residues. In this paper, four
residues were selected to study the optimal conditions
of their combustion process in a mural boiler for do-
mestic heating.
2. Materials and experimental methods
2.1. Sample preparation
The three biomass residues used were tomato, olive
stone and cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.), and the
forest pellet recommended by the boiler manufacturer.
Table 1 shows the annual biomass production and
energy potential of these residues in Extremadura.
In the case of cardoon residue production, this was
not evaluated in this region; its energy potential was
Table 1
Annual production and energy potential of the residues
Residue Production, t Energy Potential, toeb
Forest 14:2 × 106 6:2 × 106
Tomato 2:6 × 104 13:9 × 103
Cardoona 5:9 × 105 2:1 × 105
Olive stone 5:2 × 104 1:9 × 103
a To evaluate the energy potential of this residue 29:7 × 103 ha
and a production of 20 t=ha were considered.
b toe = ton oil equivalent
estimated on the basis of whether the lands used for
dry herbaceous growing [12] were cultivated for this
agro-energy growing. The experimental tests carried
out by our group in “La Orden” farm on cardoon
cultivation revealed a production of dry biomass of
20 t per ha per year. The forest pellets were sup-
plied by the boiler manufacturer with dimensions of
5 mm diameter and 20 mm length. The olive stones
were used as supplied. The tomato (skins and seeds)
residue came from a tomato paste plant. Both tomato
and cardoon residues were aired and dried and then
transformed into pellets of 5 mm diameter and 20 mm
length.
2.2. Boiler characteristics and experimental
conditions
An ENVIROFIRE EF-II pellet boiler designed to
use pressed wood with 11:6 kW power was used to
perform the combustion experiments of this study.
Fig. 1 shows a scheme of the boiler, which consists
of: (1) an upper hopper with capacity for 15 kg of
pellets and a worm gear to introduce the fuel into
the Hreplace, (2) a control panel with a four-position
potentiometer to regulate variation of the fuel mass
:ow (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%), (3) an ash pan to
gather the ash produced in the combustion, (4) a com-
bustion chamber with two oriHces of small diameter,
one at the top where the ignition electrode is situ-
ated and the other at the bottom for fresh air admis-
sion, (5) a convection ventilator in the rear part of the
boiler with a potentiometer to control the hot air rate
outlet situated in the control panel, (6) a ventilator
for outlet of the gases with a mechanic regulator that
permits variations of the chimney draught (positions:
0%, 50% and 100%), (7) a chimney of 10 cm-inner
 J.F. Gonz6alez et al. / Biomass and Bioenergy 27 (2004) 145 – 154
9
7 8
1
5 7. Chimney
8.0
50
10
0 100
4
Fig. 1. Scheme of the boiler.
diameter and 1:6 m length, (8) a hot air outlet and (9)
a heat-exchange body formed by tubes situated in the
rear part of the boiler that serve to exchange the heat
between the fumes and the fresh air that enters in to
the boiler.
Two operating variables were studied for each fuel,
i.e. fuel mass :ow and chimney draught, varying the
above-mentioned potentiometer (25%, 50%, 75% and
100%) and mechanic regulator (0%, 50% and 100%),
respectively. These two variables were also studied for
), e=ciency ()) were analysed by means
di4erent mixtures of the four residues. The fuel mix-
tures assayed were tomato pellet/olive stone, cardoon
pellet/forest pellet, tomato pellet/forest pellet and olive
stone/forest pellet. In all cases, three di4erent mix-
tures were tested, 50%/50%, 75%/25% and 25%/75%.
Three di4erent mass :ows were used (50%, 75% and
100%) and only 0% draught was employed, since it
was the optimum draught in the individual fuel com-
bustion. In both cases, for each mass :ow and draught
value, the experiments were performed in triplicate.
2.3. Analytical methods
The proximate analysis of the pellet samples was
carried out according to Spanish norms. The determi-
nation of moisture, volatile matter and ashes was per-
formed following UNE/32-001-81, UNE/32-019-84
and UNE/32-004-844 norms, respectively [13–15].
The Hxed carbon was calculated by di4erence to
147
1. Hopper
2. Control Panel
3. Ash pan
2 4. Combustion chamber
5. Air fan convection
6. Fumes fan
8. Hot air outlet
9. Heat-exchange body
10. Testo 300 M-I analyser
3
100%. A LECO CHN 1000 elemental analyser was
used for the ultimate analysis of the pellets samples.
The higher heating value of the samples (HHV) was
determined with a Parr 1351 bomb calorimeter.
The combustion parameters (CO2 , O2 and CO con-
tents in the fumes ([CO2 ], [O2 ] and [CO]), not-burnt
gaseous and sensitive heat losses of the fumes (qi
and qA, respectively), velocity and volume of the
fumes (vfumes and Vfumes , respectively), air excess co-
e=cient (
of a TESTO 300 M-I analyzer (10 in Fig. 1). This
analyser has two measuring cells, one for O2 and the
other for CO, and a thermocouple inserted in a bore
of the chimney to measure the temperature of the
fumes (FT). The calculation of the di4erent parame-
ters is shown in the Appendix. The air outlet tempera-
ture (AOT) was measured by the thermocouple of the
analyser at the end of each test.
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Energy potential and biomass residue
characteristics
Table 1 shows the annual production and energy
potential for the four residues in Extremadura. This
energy potential could produce a thermal power
of 8000 MW and an electric power of 2800 MW,
148 J.F. Gonz6alez et al. / Biomass and Bioenergy 27 (2004) 145 – 154

Table 2
Ultimate and proximate analyses and the higher heating value (HHV) of the residues

Analysis Residues

Forest pellet Tomato pellet Olive stone Cardoon pellet

Ultimate analysis (%)

C 46.5 52.3 46.5 39.1
H 6.8 7.6 6.4 6.0
N 1.9 3.4 0.4 2.0
S 0 0.074 0 0.14
Cl 0.03 0.12 0.34 1.21

Proximate analysis (%)

Fixed carbon 13.8 9.4 16.2 14.9
Volatile matter 76.4 80.1 72.7 62.9
Ashes 1.0 3.5 2.3 11.3
Moisture 8.8 7.0 8.8 10.9

HHV (MJ kg−1 ) 18.4 22.7 19.4 14.8

approximately. This fact would contribute to palliate
the energy demand of the region, reduce rural unem-
ployment and help to improve environmental condi-
tions, due to the advantages provided by the use of
biomass residues with energy aims.
Table 2 shows the ultimate and proximate analyses
and the HHV for the four residues studied. The ulti-
mate analysis reveals that the tomato pellet is the fuel
with the highest contents of C and H and, therefore,
the highest HHV. The C content sequence is
Tomato pellet ¿ olive stone ¿ forest pellet ¿
cardoon pellet
which is the same as for the HHV.
The content of N, S and Cl is very important for
the use of these residues in combustion processes.
From an environmental viewpoint, the most interest-
ing fuel is the olive stone, since it has the lowest N
and S percentages. This fact implies that it is the fuel
with the lowest NOx and SO2 emissions, and does not
contribute to acid rain and destruction of the ozone
layer. Moreover, the four fuels have very low S con-
tent and the possibility to form NOx is practically neg-
ligible, due to the fact that the temperature reached in
the combustion chamber is relatively low (¡ 600◦ C).
The Cl content in the four fuels is low, and is only
higher than 1% in cardoon. This element produces
chlorine dioxide in the combustion, which attacks the
metallic surfaces of the boiler. The use of fuels with
high Cl content in heat generation installations is not
advisable, especially if the stainless steel of the boiler
is not of good quality.
The fuels have very high volatile matter contents
(¿ 62%) and, in general, low ash contents, except the
cardoon pellet (11:3%). Moreover, the melting point
of the cardoon ashes is low and the ashes melt in the
combustion chamber at 460◦ C, obstructing the ori-
Hces for inlet air. This is an important problem when
selecting the fuel in a heat generation plant.
3.2. In>uence of operation variables
3.2.1. In>uence of fuel mass >ow
(A) Tomato pellet combustion. Mass :ow was
0.58 (25%), 0.95 (50%), 1.29 (75%) and 2:42 kg h−1
(100%). The mass :ow e4ect was studied for the
three chimney draughts (0%, 50% and 100%), but
only the results for 0% draught are discussed since the
results obtained for the other two values were similar.
In Fig. 2, the in:uence of mass :ow on the oxygen
and the CO percentages in the fumes are shown. As
can be seen from this Hgure, the oxygen percentage
decreases with the increase in the fuel mass :ow.
This fact is logical since an increase in the mass :ow
for the same draught produces a greater consumption
of oxygen in the Hreplace, thus reducing its content
in the fumes. Moreover, the oxygen percentage in the
 J.F. Gonz6alez et al. / Biomass and Bioenergy 27 (2004) 145 – 154 149

16 3000 20

15.27 2471
15.2 2500
14 13.8 15
2000

[CO], ppm
[O2], %

10.3 11.4
12 O2
Oxygen 1500

qA, %
10 11.4
CO
1141 1000
10 7.5
10.07
500
344 5
368
8 0
qA
25 50 75 100
Mass flow, % 0
25 50 75 100
Fig. 2. Tomato pellet combustion. Mass :ow in:uence on the Mass flow,%
oxygen and CO percentages in the fumes.
Fig. 3. Tomato pellet combustion. Mass :ow in:uence on the
sensitive heat losses of the fumes.
fumes is su=ciently high, which indicates that the air
excess coe=cients utilised are very high.
120 8
With respect to the in:uence of CO percentage, an 116
116.1
increase in mass :ow leads to an increase in the CO FT 7.4
percentage in the fumes. This may be due to the fact CO2
7

that the furnace temperature rises as the mass :ow

increases and given that this residue has the highest 6

[ CO2], %
FT, °C

HHV, this reaction is favoured in part 100 98.2

−1 5
C + CO2 ↔ 2CO; TH = 170:7 kJ mol 92.2

4.8
which is an endothermic reaction and is favoured with 4
the increase in the furnace temperature [16]. 3.9 3.9

Fig. 3 represents the mass :ow in:uence on the 80 3

sensitive heat losses of the fumes from the Sieggert
equation expressed in the Appendix [17]. Given that
this equation includes the fumes temperature and CO2
content, Fig. 4 shows the mass :ow in:uence on these
two parameters. The qA sequence depends on the vari-
ability of these parameters. These losses diminish with
the increase in the tomato pellet mass :ow, indicating
that the contribution of the CO2 content e4ect is more
important than the fumes temperature e4ect.
Fig. 5 shows the mass :ow e4ect on the air ex-
cess coe=cient. From this Hgure it can be seen that
this coe=cient diminishes as the mass :ow increases,
due to higher oxygen consumption. In addition, this
parameter is lower when the draught is lower. The
lowest
value obtained corresponds to a mass :ow of
2:42 kg h−1 and a draught of 0%.
The mass :ow in:uence on the volumetric :ow and
velocity of the fumes is shown in Fig. 6. As can be seen
25 50 75 100
Mass flow, %
Fig. 4. Tomato pellet combustion. Mass :ow in:uence on the
fumes temperature and CO2 content in the fumes.
from this Hgure, an increase in mass :ow produces a
slight rise in both parameters, as was expected.
The air outlet temperature of the boiler heat-exchange
body increases with the rise in the fuel mass :ow
for the same draught, as can be seen in Fig. 7. This
is because a greater amount of fuel in the Hreplace
produces more heat. This fact increases the :uid tem-
perature (air) used to heat the room where the boiler
is placed.
Fig. 7 demonstrates that fuel mass :ow scarcely
in:uences combustion process e=ciency in the case of
0% draught, and the highest value (90.1%) for a 100%
150 J.F. Gonz6alez et al. / Biomass and Bioenergy 27 (2004) 145 – 154

4 110 100
AOT
3.68 102.3
100 η
3.63
90.1
90 89.1 88 90
87.1

AOT, °C

η, %
80
77.1
3
λ

2.94
70 80
63.2
59
60
λ
50 70
2.2
25 50 75 100
2 Mass flow, %
25 50 75 100
Fig. 7. Tomato pellet combustion. Mass :ow in:uence on the air
Mass flow, %
outlet temperature and on the combustion process e=ciency.
Fig. 5. Tomato pellet combustion. Mass :ow in:uence on the air
excess coe=cient.
15 2800

14
100 8 13.83
Fumes
V fumesvo lume 13
7 13.1 2400
2471

[CO], ppm
80 Fumes
vfumesve locity
[O2 ], %

12
6 2324
74
vfumes, m s
V fumes , m 3 h -1

5 11
60 72
59 60 2000
4 10
10
40 3 9 O2
Oxygen CO
-1

1750
2.5 2.6 2 8 1600
20 2.1 2.1
1 0 50 100
Draught, %
0 0
25 50 75 100 Fig. 8. Tomato pellet combustion. Draught in:uence on the
Mass flow,% oxygen and CO percentages in the fumes.

Fig. 6. Tomato pellet combustion. Mass :ow in:uence on the

volumetric :ow and on the velocity of the fumes. 2:42 kg h−1 (100%) are commented since for the
other three :ows the e4ect was very similar. Fig. 8
shows the draught e4ect on the oxygen and CO per-
mass :ow is obtained. For the two other draughts used, centages in the fumes. It can be seen that a draught
a slight e=ciency increase with raised fuel mass :ow increase produces a concomitant rise in the O2 per-
was also observed. centage in the fumes, and does not improve combus-
(B) Forest pellet, olive stone and cardoon pellet tion process e=ciency. This is because the air excess
combustion. For these three residues, the fuel mass coe=cient used is very high, increasing the losses
:ow e4ect on the di4erent combustion parameters was by sensitive heat of the fumes and decreasing the
similar to that observed for tomato pellet combustion. Hreplace temperature.
Fig. 8 shows that an increase in draught produces
3.2.2. In>uence of draught a decrease in the CO percentage in the fumes. This
(A) Tomato pellet combustion. In this section, fact seems logical, since a higher oxygen content in
only the results corresponding to a mass :ow of the Hreplace favours oxidation from CO to CO2 .
 J.F. Gonz6alez et al. / Biomass and Bioenergy 27 (2004) 145 – 154 151

30 3

2.92
25

23.4 2.65
20 21.5 2.5
qA, %

15

λ
10 2
1.93
7.5
5
qA λ
0 1.5
0 50 100 0 50 100
Draught, % Draught, %

Fig. 9. Tomato pellet combustion. Draught in:uence on the Fig. 11. Tomato pellet combustion. Draught in:uence on the air
sensitive heat losses of the fumes. excess coe=cient.

240 8 150 5
4.5
4.2
220 7.4 227.5 7.5
226.7 130
4
128
7
200
V fumes, m 3 h-1

110 119

vfumes, m s -1
6.5 2,6 3
[CO2], %

180
FT, °C

6 90
160 2
5.4 5.5 74
70
140 4.9 Vfumes
Serie1
5
FT 1
50 v fumes
Serie2
120 116 CO2 4.5

100 4 30 0
0 50 100 0 50 100
Draught, % Draught, %

Fig. 10. Tomato pellet combustion. Draught in:uence on the fumes Fig. 12. Tomato pellet combustion. Draught in:uence on the
temperature and CO2 content in the fumes. volumetric :ow and on the velocity of the fumes.

Fig. 9 represents the draught in:uence on qA value.
As was mentioned above, these losses are in:uenced
by the fumes temperature and CO2 content; therefore,
it is necessary to know the draught e4ect on these two
parameters (Fig. 10). An increase in draught leads to
an increase in these losses, and so the contribution of
both parameters in the Sieggert equation is important.
Fig. 11 shows the draught e4ect on the air excess
coe=cient, and it can be observed that an increase in
draught raises this coe=cient. The obtained values are
higher as the mass :ow is lower.
The draught increase leads to an increase in the
volumetric :ow and velocity of the fumes, as can be
seen in Fig. 12, especially from 0% to 50%, with a
duplication of their values. This does not occur from
50% to 100%, due to the diminished :ame intensity.
This e4ect was more evident as the mass :ow was
lower.
The air outlet temperature of the heat-exchange
body of the boiler grows with the increase in draught
for a mass :ow of 2:42 kg h−1 (100%), as can be
seen in Fig. 13. This increase is lower when the mass
152 J.F. Gonz6alez et al. / Biomass and Bioenergy 27 (2004) 145 – 154

170 95 process of the four residues. It can be observed that the

AOT optimal experimental conditions for the four residues
160 η
160.3 90 are the same, that is, a maximum mass :ow (100%)
150 90.4 and minimum draught (0%); however, the value in
147 85 kg h−1 is not the same due to the di4erent density of
AOT, °C

140
the residues. Although certain variability in the main

130
120
110 75.9
74.4
100
102.3
0 50
Draught, %
Fig. 13. Tomato pellet combustion. Draught in:uence on the air
outlet temperature and on the combustion process e=ciency.
:ow is lower, producing a decrease even for the low-
est mass :ow. This fact is related to :ame intensity.
In some cases the :ame slakes, especially for the
lowest mass :ow.
Fig. 13 shows that an increase in draught produces a
decrease in combustion e=ciency. For the other three
mass :ows used, the same e4ect was observed. In
general, the increased draught produces an increase
in sensitive heat, solid and gaseous not-burnt losses,
resulting in an e=ciency decrease.
(B) Forest pellet, olive stone and cardoon pellet
combustion. For these three residues, the draught e4ect
on the di4erent parameters of combustion was similar
to that observed for tomato pellet combustion.
Table 3 summarises the optimal experimental con-
ditions and the main parameters for the combustion
η, %
80 parameters of the combustion for the four residues
exists, process e=ciency is practically the same
75 (90–91%). The highest value for e=ciency (91.6%)
corresponds to cardoon pellet; however, this residue
70
has the disadvantage of its high content and low melt-
100 ing temperature of ashes. If the ashes melt, they can
block the passing of the air necessary for the com-
bustion process. Thus they must be removed from the
Hreplace to avoid their melting.
These results conHrm that the three residues
(tomato, cardoon and olive stone) are excellent substi-
tutes for the forest pellet recommended by the boiler
manufacturer. Besides, the price of these residues is
lower than that of the forest pellet.
3.2.3. In>uence of fuel mixtures
The in:uence of the fuel-mixture mass :ow on
the di4erent combustion parameters was similar to
that observed for individual fuel combustion, men-
tioned above; that is, an increase in mass :ow
causes a decrease in the O2 content in the fumes
and in the air excess coe=cient, and an increase in
the CO2 content in the fumes and in the air outlet
temperature.
The optimum mass :ow for all the mixtures as-
sayed was 75%. Table 4 summarises the optimal ex-
perimental conditions and the main parameters of the

Table 3
Optimal experimental conditions and main combustion parameters for the residues

Tomato pellet Forest pellet Olive stone Cardoon pellet

Experimental conditions Draught (%) 0 0 0 0

Mass :ow (kg h−1 ) 2.42 2.32 1.25 2.30

Combustion parameters [O2 ] (%) 10.4 8.4 12.7 10.1

[CO] (ppm) 2414 5454 1150 2234
FT (◦ C) 107 97 106 112
[CO2 ] (%) 7.2 8.6 4.7 7.4
qA (%) 7 5.9 8.8 6.6
AOT (◦ C) 102 67 70 88

1.9 1.6 2.5 1.9
 (%) 91 90.5 89.7 91.6
 J.F. Gonz6alez et al. / Biomass and Bioenergy 27 (2004) 145 – 154 153

Table 4
Optimal experimental conditions and main combustion parameters for each type of fuel mixture

Mixture Mass :ow Draught [O2 ] [CO] qA FT [CO2 ] AOT


(kg h−1 ) (0%) (%) (ppm) (%) (◦ C) (%) (◦ C) (%)

1. Tomato 75%–Forest 25% 1.30 0 7.9 5159 4.4 101 8.9 98 1.6 92.4
2. Tomato 50%–Olive stone 50% 1.27 0 13 2013 5.9 79 5.5 66 2.6 92
3. Cardoon 50%–Forest 50% 1.21 0 14 437 8.6 92.6 4.8 75 2.9 90.8
4. Olive stone 25%–Forest 75% 1.32 0 8.5 4157 5.6 101 8.5 91 1.6 91.6

combustion process for each type of mixture. The se- draught produces an increase in the O2 content in
quence of the combustion process e=ciency was the fumes, in
, in qA and in the fumes volumetric
Tomato pellet 75%/Forest pellet 25% ¿ Tomato :ow, and a decrease in CO content and combustion
pellet 50%/Olive stone 50% ¿ Olive stone 25%/ e=ciency.
Forest pellet 75% ¿ Cardoon pellet 50%/Forest The mixtures assayed have a good behaviour, with
pellet 50%. greater e=ciency than in the individual fuel combus-
These results conHrm the wide e4ect of the fuel tion process (¿ 91%). The mixtures with fuels of
HHV on the combustion process in the mixtures, since high caloriHc value give more e=cient combustion
the optimal results obtained correspond to tomato pel- processes.
let, followed by olive stone, forest pellet and, Hnally,
cardoon pellet. This sequence is the same as for the
fuel HHV and C content mentioned above. Besides, Appendix. Combustion parameters
the e=ciency obtained from the mixtures is higher
than that obtained from individual fuel combustion The combustion parameters given by TESTO 300
(see Tables 3 and 4). M-I analyzer were obtained by means of the following
equations:
[CO2 ]max (21 − [O2 ])
[CO2 ](%) = ; (A.1)
4. Conclusions 21
where [CO2 ]max is the maximum CO2 speciHc that can
The behaviour of the four residues (tomato, forest, be liberated, 21 is the percentage of O2 in the air and
cardoon pellets and olive stone) in the ENVIROFIRE [O2 ] is the O2 value measured for the cell.
EF-II mural boiler for domestic use is acceptable. In
particular, tomato pellet and olive stone are excellent  = 100 − qA − qi; (A.2)
substitutes for the forest pellet recommended by the where  is the e=ciency of the combustion process,
boiler manufacturer. The cardoon pellet has the disad- and qA and qi are the sensitive heat and not-burnt
vantage of its high content and low melting point of gaseous losses of the fumes, respectively. The e=-
the ashes which requires their continual removal from ciency is based on the lower heating value of the fuel.
the Hreplace. FT − AT
The mass :ow e4ect on the main combustion pa- qA = K (A.3)
[CO2 ]
rameters is similar for the four residues studied. An
increase in mass :ow produces a decrease in the O2 which is the Sieggert equation used to calculate the
content in the fumes, in
, and in qA, and an increase sensitive heat losses of the fumes, expressed in % with
in CO2 content in the fumes, in the fumes volumet- respect to the lower heating value, FT and AT are
ric :ow, in air outlet temperature and in combustion the fumes and atmospheric temperatures, respectively,
e=ciency. and K is the speciHc factor of the fuel.
The draught e4ect on the main combustion param- [CO2 ]max [O2 ]max Areal
eters is similar for the four residues. An increase in
= = = ; (A.4)
[CO2 ] [O2 ] Amin
154 J.F. Gonz6alez et al. / Biomass and Bioenergy 27 (2004) 145 – 154
where
is the air excess coe=cient, [O2 ]max is the
maximum O2 speciHc liberated in the fumes, Areal is
the real air introduced in the boiler and Amin is the
minimum air necessary to burn a fuel.


575Tp(FT + 273:15)
fumes = ; (A.5)
pabs
where fumes is the fumes outlet velocity in m s−1 ,
Tp is the di4erential pressure in mbar,  is the factor
of the Pitot tubing (0–1.50) and pabs the absolute
pressure in mbar.
Vfumes = fumes A0:36; (A.6)
where Vfumes is the fumes volumetric :ow in m3 h−1
and A is the outlet conduct area of the fumes.
[CO]
qi = 60 ; (A.7)
[CO] + [CO2 ]
where qi are the gaseous not-burnt losses, expressed
in % with respect to the lower heating value, and
[CO] and [CO2 ] are the contents of these gases in the
fumes, expressed in ppm and volume percentage,
respectively.
References
[1] Pinto GS, Itoiz C. The EHN-SangUuesa 25 MWe straw Hred
power plant. Proceedings of the Hrst World Conference and
Exhibition on Biomass for Energy and Industry, Sevilla,
Spain, 5–9 June 2000.
[2] Dare P, Gi4ord J, Hooper RJ, Clemens AH, Damiano LF,
Gong D, Matheson TW. Combustion performance of biomass
residue and purpose grown species. Biomass and Bioenergy
2001;21:277–87.
[3] Mckentry P. Energy production biomass (part 1): overview
of biomass. Bioresource Technology 2002;83:37–46.
[4] Bain RL, Overend RP, Craig KR. Biomass-Hred power
generation. Fuel Processing Technology 1998;54:1–16.
[5] Hern%andez J, Mitre AJ, Gonz%alez JA, Itoiz C, Blanco F,
Alkorta I, Garbisu C. Straw quality for its combustion in
a straw-Hred power plant. Biomass and Bioenergy 2001;21:
249–58.
[6] Tillman DA. Biomass coHring: the technology, the
experience, the combustion consequences. Biomass and
Bioenergy 2000;19:365–84.
[7] Van der Lans RP, Pedersen LT, Jensen A, Glarborg P,
Dam-Johansen K. Modelling and experiments of straw
combustion in a grate furnace. Biomass and Bioenergy
2000;19:199–208.
[8] Saade RG, Kozinski JA. Numerical modelling and TGA/
FTIR/GCMS investigation of Hbrous residue combustion.
Biomass and Bioenergy 2000;18:391–404.
[9] Mansaray KG, Ghaly AE. Determination of kinetic of rice
husks in oxygen using thermogravimetric analysis. Biomass
and Bioenergy 1999;17:19–31.
[10] Paulrud S, Nilsson C. Briquetting and combustion of
spring-harvested reed canary-grass: e4ect of fuel composition.
Biomass and Bioenergy 2001;20:25–35.
[11] Friberg R, Blasiak W. Measurements of mass :ux and
stoichiometry of conversion gas from three di4erent wood
fuels as function of volume :ux of primary air in
packed-bed combustion. Biomass and Bioenergy 2002;23:
189–208.
[12] Instituto para la DiversiHcaci%on y Ahorro de la Energ%)a
(IDAE). Plan de Fomento de las Energ%)as Renovables en
España, Ed. IDAE, 1999.
[13] Norma Española UNE 32001-81. Hulla y antracita:
determinaci%on de la humedad total. Noviembre 1981.
[14] Norma Española UNE 32004-844. Combustibles minerales
s%olidos: determinaci%on de cenizas. Diciembre 1984.
[15] Norma Española UNE 32019-84. Combustibles minerales
s%olidos: determinaci%on del contenido en materias vol%atiles.
Noviembre 1984.
[16] Mathien P, Dubvisson R. Performance analysis of a biomas
gasiHer. Energy Conversi%on and Management 2002;43:
1291–9.
[17] Manual de EHciencia Energ%etica T%ermica en la Industria.
Tomo I. Ed. Cadem. Grupo EVE; 1993.