Pellet as a Technological Nutrient within the Circular Economy Model: Comparative Analysis of Combustion Efficiency and CO and NO x Emissions for Pellets from Olive and Almond Trees

Valentín Molina-Moreno, Juan Carlos Leyva-Díaz and Jorge Sánchez-Molina
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Valentín Molina-Moreno: Department of Management, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Juan Carlos Leyva-Díaz: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Jorge Sánchez-Molina: Department of Chemistry, University of Francisco de Paula Santander, 540003 San José de Cúcuta, Colombia

Energies, 2016, vol. 9, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: This study analyzes the operation of Biomass System (BIO System) technology for the combustion of pellets from almond and olive trees within the circular economy model. Its aims are the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as waste removal and its energy use by reintroducing that waste into the production process as technological nutrient. In order to do so, combustion efficiency under optimal conditions at nominal power was analyzed. In addition, a TESTO 350-XL analyzer was employed to measure CO and NO x emissions. High combustion efficiency values were obtained, 87.7% and 86.3%, for pellets from olive tree and almond tree, respectively. The results of CO and NO x emission levels were very satisfactory. Under conditions close to nominal power, CO emission levels were 225.3 ppm at 6% O 2 for pellet from almond tree and 351.6 ppm at 6% O 2 for pellet from olive tree. Regarding NO x emissions, the values were 365.8 ppm at 6% O 2 and 333.2 ppm at 6% O 2 for pellets from almond tree and olive tree, respectively. In general, these values were below those legally established by current legislation in European countries. Therefore, BIO System technology is a perfectly feasible option in terms of energy use and circular economy.

Keywords: pellet; olive tree; almond tree; emission; efficiency; circular economy (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: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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