Comparison of Fine Ash Emissions Generated from Biomass and Coal Combustion and Valuation of Predictive Furnace Deposition Indices: A Review

Abstract

To address important ash-related issues associated with burning solid biomass fuels for power generation, this paper reviews results of studies performed at the Northeastern University (NU) Combustion and Air Pollution laboratory and elsewhere under well-characterized conditions. It compares the physical and chemical characteristics of fine ash emissions generated from the combustion of pulverized biomasses to those from pulverized coals, since biomass is considered as a substitute fuel for coal in power generation, and assesses their furnace surface deposition propensities. Comparisons show that combustion of some biomasses may generate disproportionally higher emissions of submicron ash particles than combustion of coals (0.03–1.1 versus