Impact of Combustion of Alternative Fuel in Low Power Boiler Installation on the Environment and Technical Parameters of the Boiler

摘要

Due to depleting fossil fuel resources, the search for their substitute is becoming more and more frequent. Alternative fuels may contribute significantly to solving this problem. However, combustion of such types of fuels in small boiler installations is not commonly applied in connection with difficulties during their thermal processing. In order to safely utilise the energy contained in alternative fuels, it is necessary to learn about their properties, the impact combusting them has on the operating parameters of the boiler installations and natural environment. The research was performed at a laboratory site using a low power boiler. Alternative fuel was subjected to energy analysis, and the reference applied were results of studies of coal combustion. The PBO alternative fuel is a mixture of sewerage sludge with oat, whereas the GFC fossil fuel is a gas-flame coal. Pollution emissions were examined as well as impact of the fuel on the boiler operating parameters. Combustion of the PBO fuel was be a stable process. The emission of CO, NO2 and SO2 exceeded values obtained for hard coal combustion. CO2 emission during combustion of alternative fuel was lower in comparison to the fossil fuel. Thermal power of the boiler decreased by ca. 30% during thermal processing of the PBO fuel in relation to the GFC fossil fuel.