Analysis of the Combustion of Pellet Mixtures with Barley Straw in a Biomass Boiler

François Delcourt, Lucas Maret, Damien Méresse and Céline Morin ()
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François Delcourt: CNRS UMR 8201—LAMIH, Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, 59313 Valenciennes, France
Lucas Maret: CNRS UMR 8201—LAMIH, Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, 59313 Valenciennes, France
Damien Méresse: CNRS UMR 8201—LAMIH, Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, 59313 Valenciennes, France
Céline Morin: CNRS UMR 8201—LAMIH, Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, 59313 Valenciennes, France

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-17

Abstract: Biomass is a key energy resource in the current context of climate and energy crises, due to its lower carbon footprint compared to fossil fuels. However, wood-based energy presents several drawbacks: public health concerns related to pollutant emissions from combustion, and questions about the sustainability of the resource given the increasing demand for cleaner fuels. This study investigates the combustion of mixtures of wood pellets (WPs) and barley straw pellets (BSPs) in a domestic biomass boiler, with the aim of evaluating how such blends affect pollutant emissions and energy production under standard boiler operation, without modifications. Pellets were characterized using a bomb calorimeter and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), while gaseous and particulate emissions were measured at the chimney using gas analyzers and an Engine Exhaust Particle Sizer (EEPS), respectively. The results show that high BSP proportions (>50%) are not compatible with domestic biomass boilers, as they led to a significant increase in gaseous pollutant emission. However, blends with moderate BSP shares (10 and 25%) can be successfully used, offering benefits in terms of reduced pollutant emissions and improved sustainability. Additionally, infrared and high-speed cameras were installed above the boiler furnace, equipped with an optical window, to provide new insights into the combustion process.

Keywords: biomass combustion; pellet boiler; wood; barley straw; pollutant emissions; flame visualization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:19:p:5184-:d:1761265

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