JOULE JOR3-CT97-0184 Pollutants reduction in small biomass combustion systems (PRIBIC)

Contacts




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JOULE/THERMIE Programme : Solid Biofuels : Thermochemical Conversion

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	JOR3-CT97-0184
	EC Contribution	772,250 ECU
	Start Date	01/01/1998
	Duration	36 Months

Pollutants reduction in small biomass combustion systems (PRIBIC)

Objectives

The objective of this project is the reduction of NO_x and CO emissions of a new fluidised bed based concept design combustor that is already being commercialised by the participant IDEX in a first version for small heat applications in the domestic and industrial sectors, up to 2000 kW_th.

Technical Approach

In a first stage, in order to obtain an understanding of the physical and chemical phenomena occurring in the combustor, a computer simulation package of the combustion process will be developed.

The computing package will include CFD modelling to simulate the fluid dynamics and thermodynamics of the combustor, as well as a model system relating to the kinetics and chemistry of the process. In addition, a computing programme to predict NO_x formation in the combustor will also be developed and installed in both simulation systems. Once developed, the whole modelling system will be run under different process conditions. It will be validated, and eventually improved, by comparing the predicted combustion results with those obtained in the experimental tests of a cold laboratory model and two combustors of 160 kW_th and 500 kW_th, operated under similar process conditions.

The validated model package will be utilised as a tool to define the appropriate combustor design modifications to achieve the primary objective of emissions reduction.

In a second stage, a 160 kW_th combustor incorporating the defined design modifications will be constructed. This will be operated with a number of forms of biomass with different characteristics in terms of water content, heating value, apparent density etc, under real operation conditions to supply heat to a building of the participant CIEMAT in Soria (Spain). The performance efficiency and emission levels of the new design of combustor will be compared with those obtained in a 120 kW_th first generation boiler currently used for house heating

Expected Results and Exploitation

The experimentation will enable the efficiency of the new prototype to be determined using various forms of biomass and show whether the expected emissions abatement levels have been achieved.

It is anticipated that the approach taken will reduce the CO and NO_x emissions levels of the present combustion equipment by at least 30%, achieving combustion efficiencies of about 90% with a wide range of biomass types of available as small pieces, including those of high moisture content.

The results of the research will be directly utilised by the partner IDEX to develop a second generation of improved combustors. Joint ventures of this firm at the EU level are also envisaged for commercialisation of the new designs.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Juan E CARRASCO GARCIA / CIEMAT Instituto de Energias Renovables / SPAIN

Participant

• Michel GODARD / Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Gramme / BELGIUM
• Luis de AZCOITIA / IDEX Iberica Energetica SA SPAIN
• Claude LACROIX / Simulog SA - Agence de Toulouse Immeuble Innopolis / FRANCE
• Jacques DE RUYCK / Vrije Universiteit Brussel Dept of Mechanical Engineering / BELGIUM