BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT95-0270 - The Application of Fluidised Bed Technology to Improve the Combustion of Cork Waste

FAIR-CT95-0270
The Application of Fluidised Bed Technology to Improve the Combustion of Cork Waste

To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
FAIR Area 1.1 - Biomass and Bioenergy Chain : Process Engineering : Solid Biofuels : Thermochemical Conversion : Wood (Lignocellulose)

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	FAIR-CT95-0270
	Total Cost	784,000 ECU
	EC Contribution	400,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/01/1996
	Duration	36 Months

The application of fluidised bed technology to improve the combustion of corkwastes

Background

In the cork processing industry, the corkwastes are generally burnt in a conventional grate/boiler to produce energy for the process plant. Existing systems used for burning wastes have several problems, mainly associated with the fusion of cork ash. This results in the boilers being shut down on a regular basis for maintenance, resulting in production losses. Little is done to understand the combustion of cork waste. Therefore the project will investigate the use of fluidised bed combustion (FBC) technology, selected since there are advantages when it is used with low-solid and low-quality fuels, to improve the combustion of corkwastes.

Objectives

The aim is to use an innovative fluidised bed combustion process to :

obtain a better understanding of the combustion behaviour of corkwastes
identify ways of reducing the ash fusion problem during combustion
improve combustion efficiency
reduce emissions of particulate matter and NO_x
reduce number of production hours lost

Technical Approach

To evaluate the resources of cork production in Portugal and Spain and the potential of corkwaste as fuel
To characterise corkwaste as a fuel
To combust the corkwaste in FBCs of both bubbling and circulating types
To assess scaling-up
To carry out a techno-economic analysis of the use of FBC for burning corkwastes

The results will be used to determine design parameters and operating conditions for the application of the fluidised bed technology either by retrofitting existing boilers or through the design of new boilers. The results will be patented and the technology will be transferred to boiler manufacturers for eventual commercialisation of the technology. Both bubbling and circulating fluidised bed applications may be possible depending on the results of the project.

Results Obtained

To-date, the following studies have been undertaken:

resource evaluation of corkwaste processed as fuel
characterisation of the cork as received and of the wastes produced during processing
combustion tests in a circulating fluidised bed.

Contacts

Coordinator

Ibrahim GULYURTLU / Instituto Nacional de Engenharia e Tecnologia Industrial PORTUGAL

Participant