Emission Characteristics and Environmental Impact of VOCs from Bagasse-Fired Biomass Boilers

Xia Yang, Xuan Xu, Jianguo Ni, Qun Zhang, Gexiang Chen, Ying Liu, Wei Hong, Qiming Liao and Xiongbo Chen ()
Additional contact information
Xia Yang: Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Air Pollution Control, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of PRC, No. 7 West Street Yuancun, Guangzhou 510655, China
Xuan Xu: Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Air Pollution Control, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of PRC, No. 7 West Street Yuancun, Guangzhou 510655, China
Jianguo Ni: Xiaoshan Branch of Hangzhou Ecological Environment Bureau, Hangzhou 311200, China
Qun Zhang: Yuhang Branch of Hangzhou Ecological Environment Bureau, Hangzhou 311121, China
Gexiang Chen: Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Air Pollution Control, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of PRC, No. 7 West Street Yuancun, Guangzhou 510655, China
Ying Liu: Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Air Pollution Control, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of PRC, No. 7 West Street Yuancun, Guangzhou 510655, China
Wei Hong: Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Air Pollution Control, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of PRC, No. 7 West Street Yuancun, Guangzhou 510655, China
Qiming Liao: Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Air Pollution Control, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of PRC, No. 7 West Street Yuancun, Guangzhou 510655, China
Xiongbo Chen: Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Air Pollution Control, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of PRC, No. 7 West Street Yuancun, Guangzhou 510655, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-18

Abstract: This study investigates the emission characteristics and environmental impacts of pollutants from bagasse-fired biomass boilers through the integrated field monitoring of two sugarcane processing plants in Guangxi, China. Comprehensive analyses of flue gas components, including PM 2.5 , NOx, CO, heavy metals, VOCs, HCl, and HF, revealed distinct physicochemical and emission profiles. Bagasse exhibited lower C, H, and S content but higher moisture (47~53%) and O (24~30%) levels compared to coal, reducing the calorific values (8.93~11.89 MJ/kg). Particulate matter removal efficiency exceeded 98% (water film dust collector) and 95% (bag filter), while NOx removal varied (10~56%) due to water solubility differences. Heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb) in fuel migrated to fly ash and flue gas, with Hg and Mn showing notable volatility. VOC speciation identified oxygenated compounds (OVOCs, 87%) as dominant in small boilers, while aromatics (60%) and alkenes (34%) prevailed in larger systems. Ozone formation potential (OFP: 3.34~4.39 mg/m 3 ) and secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAFP: 0.33~1.9 mg/m 3 ) highlighted aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., benzene, xylene) as critical contributors to secondary pollution. Despite compliance with current emission standards (e.g., PM < 20 mg/m 3 ), elevated CO (>1000 mg/m 3 ) in large boilers indicated incomplete combustion. This work underscores the necessity of tailored control strategies for OVOCs, aromatics, and heavy metals, advocating for stricter fuel quality and clear emission standards to align biomass energy utilization with environmental sustainability goals.

Keywords: biomass boiler; multiple pollutants; VOCs; OFP; SOAFP; heavy metal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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