Standard test methods applied for minimalisation of fire and explosion hazard during co-firing of biomass and coal

Abstract

The use of existing coal feeding system for the input of the crushed biomass to the energy boiler requires the least expenditures to start and run a multi-fuel combustion installation. And if losing popularity technology of co-firing biomass with coal is intended to allow meeting Polish promises to achieve the 15% share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix by the year 2020, such approach could be expected rather than construction of new, dedicated multi-fuel installations to produce electricity and heat. However, this involves the significant increase of fire and explosion hazard in the coaling system - designed for work with coal, a material with much better parameters characterizing this hazard, than biomass. The article presents the standardized research techniques (applied test stands and methodology) used to determine the data necessary for the design and the application of appropriate measures to reduce fire and explosion hazard related to operation of a mix of coal and biomass.