Combustion of biomass poses a number of problems, particularly in utility scale boilers. The circulating fluidised bed has features that control ash agglomeration, fouling, and corrosion, and therefore make it particularly suitable for biomass applications, with inherent characteristics that favour low emissions. The technology also has considerable potential for scale up, and adoption of greatly improved steam conditions.
published in Modern Power Systems, May 2018 Issue
Biomass as a boiler fuel is considered carbon dioxide neutral in that sustainably managed forests act as a net sink for CO2 from the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide released during biomass combustion returns to the atmosphere but is removed by the forest system. While wood chips and wood pellets are predominant as biomass fuels, the range of available biomass materials for use as fuel is vast and growing. Worldwide, there is a growing utilisation of agricultural (agro) biomass and wastes such as wheat stalks, sugar cane bagasse, palm kernel shells and rice husks. As utilisation of biomass fuel changed from a predominantly EU and US based market around 2010 to an increasingly global market (currently and projected), the use of biomass as a standalone fuel for large scale power generation is gaining acceptance.
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