Thermochemical energy conversion and environmental aspects of straw biomass regeneration

Abstract

Abstract. Biomass is the renewable energy source which has and will have significant influence on the future. In secondary production of agricultural plants for energy purposes various cereals are used: straw, chaff, grasses, ligneous planst and specially grown energy plants, forest and wood processing waste. The biomass is appropriate to use not only ecologically but also economically, because straw is a by-product of grain crops. Biomass is characterized as one of alternative energy sources because it is variable value and can be converted to energy by conversion processes in many ways. One of them is a therniochemical process, which is environmentally friendly and its research and application in practice becomes increasingly important. Straw preparation for technological process and conversion into solid bio-fuels is an important factor to obtain high quality material and energy fuels. The article analyzes the schematic circuit of straw conversion process and the dependence of straw briquette combustion emissions on straw chaff parameters and straw humidity. It is discussed which environmental aspects to obtain in straw usage as a renewable energy source in adaptation technologies. The research demonstrated that fine chaff and dryer straw briquettes during combustion process produced 22% higher energy value compared to bulk chaff straw briquettes the humidity of which was higher than 10%. Combustion temperature of fine chaff and dryer straw briquettes was higher, but on the other hand, higher emission values of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide were determinated, too.