Characterization of the Combustion Properties of Solid Biofuels

The wider utilization of biomass presupposes a deeper understanding of the processes occurring during their combustion, of their combustion technological characteristics, as well as the properties of the solid state products of their combustion than is available at present. The use of solid fuels has so far mainly meant coal firing. Consequently, the knowledge currently available on the use of solid fuels concerns the firing of coals. Biomass as fuel is fundamentally different from coals in its appearance, diversity, combustion technological characteristics and combustion processes. The conditions of its environment-friendly, energy-efficient firing, including determining its firing properties, examination of the combustion processes, the properties of the combustion products and their effects on the equipment, have to be explored so that the research can result in the implementation of the technologies and facilities most suitable for its firing through technical development. This paper presents the analysis of the characteristics of ligneous and herbaceous biomass important for their environment-friendly energetic utilization, their identification methodology and the conditions for their efficient firing. Accordingly, the main objective of this paper is – based on laboratory and industrial experiments – to examine the combustion characteristics of a type of ligneous and herbaceous biomass each, their impact on firing, and to analyze the processes taking place during their combustion