Sulfur Emission Dependence on Various Factors During Biomass Combustion

Giedrius Jomantas (), Kęstutis Buinevičius and Justas Šereika
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Giedrius Jomantas: Department of Energy, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design, Kaunas University of Technology, 51424 Kaunas, Lithuania
Kęstutis Buinevičius: Department of Energy, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design, Kaunas University of Technology, 51424 Kaunas, Lithuania
Justas Šereika: Laboratory of Heat Equipment Research and Testing, Lithuania Energy Institute, 44403 Kaunas, Lithuania

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-23

Abstract: The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources often requires shifting toward biomass fuels such as agriculture residues and waste, which tend to emit higher emission rates during combustion, and one of them is sulfur compounds. The main objective of this study is to clarify the regularities of the formation of sulfur compounds depending on the technological factors when burning sulfur-containing biomass. The experiments were conducted on two experimental stands—models of 20 kW and 25 kW capacities of industrial boilers equipped with reciprocating grates—by burning sunflower husk pellets and meat bone meal. The influence of incomplete combustion (indicator CO concentration), flue gas recirculation, and combined effects of both factors on concentrations of SO 2 , SO 3 , and H 2 S were investigated during experiments. In addition, 20–90% of the sulfur in the fuel is converted to SO 2 , contingent upon the combustion conditions. These findings have practical implications for the design and operation of biomass combustion systems. The highest SO 2 emissions were observed when primary air was mixed with flue gas recirculation and at the highest content of CO. The correlation of SO 2 and SO 3 and SO 2 and H 2 S concentrations in flue gases of boilers was investigated. The conversion ratio of SO 2 to SO 3 was determined under different combustion modes and showed that this ratio can reach up to 5%. The sulfur content in ash deposits in different areas of the actual industrial boiler was analyzed. The highest percent of sulfur (S = 20%) in ash was found on the first boiler pass.

Keywords: biomass; sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ); sulfur trioxide (SO 3 ); hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S); flue gas recirculation (FGR) (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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