Investigation and Optimization of Co-Combustion Efficiency of Food Waste Biochar and Coal

Yoonah Jeong, Jae-Sung Kim, Ye-Eun Lee, Dong-Chul Shin, Kwang-Ho Ahn, Jinhong Jung, Kyeong-Ho Kim, Min-Jong Ku, Seung-Mo Kim, Chung-Hwan Jeon () and I-Tae Kim ()
Additional contact information
Yoonah Jeong: Department of Environmental Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang-daero 283, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si 10223, Republic of Korea
Jae-Sung Kim: School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University, 2, Busandaehak-ro 63 beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
Ye-Eun Lee: Department of Environmental Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang-daero 283, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si 10223, Republic of Korea
Dong-Chul Shin: Department of Environmental Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang-daero 283, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si 10223, Republic of Korea
Kwang-Ho Ahn: Department of Environmental Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang-daero 283, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si 10223, Republic of Korea
Jinhong Jung: Department of Environmental Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang-daero 283, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si 10223, Republic of Korea
Kyeong-Ho Kim: School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University, 2, Busandaehak-ro 63 beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
Min-Jong Ku: School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University, 2, Busandaehak-ro 63 beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
Seung-Mo Kim: Pusan Clean Energy Research Institute, Pusan National University, 2, Busandaehak-ro 63 beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
Chung-Hwan Jeon: School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University, 2, Busandaehak-ro 63 beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
I-Tae Kim: Department of Environmental Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang-daero 283, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si 10223, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-12

Abstract: Among the alternative recycling methods for food waste, its utilization as a renewable biomass resource has demonstrated great potential. This study presents empirical findings pertaining to the cofiring of solid biomass fuel and coal for power generation. Various co-combustion ratios involving food waste biochar (FWB) and coal (100:0, 85:15, 90:10, 95:5, and 0:100) were tested to optimize combustion efficiency, monitor the emissions of NO X , CO, and unburned carbon (UBC), assess ash deposition tendencies, and evaluate grindability. Two types of FWB and sewage sludge were selected as biomass fuels. The results demonstrated that co-combustion involving FWB reduced NO X and UBC emissions compared to coal combustion alone. In particular, the 10% FWB_A blend exhibited the best combustion efficiency. Notably, FWB demonstrated lower tendencies for ash deposition. The ash fusion characteristics were monitored via thermomechanical analysis (TMA), and the corresponding shrinkage levels were measured. Furthermore, FWB exhibited superior grindability compared to both coal and sewage sludge, reducing power consumption during fuel preparation. This study suggests that FWB is a valuable co-combustion resource in coal-fired power plants, thereby facilitating the efficient recycling of food waste while concurrently advancing clean energy generation. Nevertheless, further research is required to validate its practical applicability and promote its use as a renewable resource.

Keywords: biomass; food waste biochar; co-combustion (co-pyrolysis); thermomechanical analysis; drop tube furnace; slagging; fouling; grindability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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