Investigation of reed and bulrush preparation and usage for energy purposes and determination of biofuel properties and harmful substance emissions

Abstract

IFossil fuel resources are rapidly decreasing every year, and the consumption of this fuel leads to the environmental pollution and the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, renewable energy sources, such as woody and herbaceous plants, are also supplied to the energy market. In this article the newest scientific-technical information was analysed about non-traditional grass plants, such as reed and bulrush. The experiment was established and research was carried out at the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA), Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Lithuania. Plants were grown and harvested in Lithuania and were processed and used for energy purposes, overlooked their preparation for biofuel and burning technological and technical solutions. The analyses of reed and bulrush utilization for energy purposes possibilities were performed and experimental research results presented for their preparation and use for energy conversion (burning). There were presented the research results of reed and bulrush preparation for biofuel – milling and pellet production, and also the pellet elemental composition, ash content, calorific value, was determined and effect on environment was evaluated while burning reed and bulrush pellets. For comparison, wood sawdust pellets were also investigated. The pellet density of reed reached 1178.9 kg m -3 dry matter (DM), the ash content of reed and bulrush was 3.2 % and 5.9 %, respectively. Research investigations were done using a small capacity (5 kW) solid biofuel boiler in which granulated biofuel was burned. The harmful gas emissions to the environment – carbon dioxide CO2, carbon monoxide CO, nitrogen oxides NOx and the amount of carbon and nitrogen combinations CxHy in burning products were investigated and assessed. It was determined that when reed and bulrush pellets were burned, the harmful emissions to the[...]