Analysis of Energy Properties and Emissions Factors of Selected Plant Biomass and Peat

Abstract

The use of agricultural biomass for renewable energy purposes is part of the assumption of sustainable agriculture standards and leads to change current management of biomass from agricultural and forestry production and to development of agroenergy production. Considering the above the paper describes energy properties and emission factors for peat and selected biomass species (wood chips-pine, oat grains, wheat straw) and the mixtures of peat with biomass to demonstrate differences in emissivity in the combustion process by using a mixture of biofuel and fossil fuels. Studies have shown that the net calorific value of the tested materials is similar (about 15 MJ·kg-1), but the highest value was recorded for mixtures peat-oat grains and obtained 15.75 MJ·kg-1. Ash content was highest for peat 16.58% but volatile matters content was lowest 50.14%. Wood chips characterized by the highest carbon content of 45.73%, hydrogen at 6.5% by oat grains, and 2.96% nitrogen and sulphur 0.25% by peat. Determined emission rates indicate a reduction of 4-10% CO, 1-5% CO2, 25-58% NOx, 19-61% SO2, 26-41% dust depending on the type of used biomass.