Combustion characteristics of reed and its suitability as a boiler fuel

Abstract

In recent years, common reed (Phragmites australis) has become a conservation problem in Estonia because it has spread into ecologically valuable habitats, out-competing other species and impacting on biodiversity values. Thus, the use of common reed as a biomass fuel may not only provide renewable energy, but also help in biodiversity conservation efforts. The properties of reed as a potential biofuel must be studied because the fuel handling method, the lifetime of combustion equipment (fouling, erosion and corrosion), combustion regimes and environmental impacts such as pollution, ash handling etc. depend on these properties. The combustion characteristics of reed vary to some extent depending both on the site where it grows (coastal area, lake, river delta or wetland treatment system) and seasonally (winter or summer harvesting). This paper presents the results of tests on reed properties including the chemical composition of summer and winter harvested reed and its ash, ash fusibility temperature, physical properties such as moisture and ash proportions, dry bulk density, calorific value and energy density. The impacts of different chemical and physical properties of reed on boiler operation are discussed.

Keywords

• common reed
• chemical properties
• physical properties
• impact on boilers