Biomass Ash: A Review of Chemical Compositions and Management Trends

Izabella Maj (), Kamil Niesporek, Piotr Płaza, Jörg Maier and Paweł Łój
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Izabella Maj: Department of Power Engineering and Turbomachinery, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Kamil Niesporek: Department of Power Engineering and Turbomachinery, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Piotr Płaza: Institute of Combustion and Power Plant Technology, University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Jörg Maier: Institute of Combustion and Power Plant Technology, University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Paweł Łój: Department of Fundamentals of Machinery Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-24

Abstract: With the increasing global emphasis on renewable energy, the generation of biomass fly ash is anticipated to rise substantially in the coming years. This trend highlights the urgent need for effective strategies to manage and utilize this byproduct sustainably. This study reviews and classifies selected types of biomass ashes, treating them as representative examples that illustrate the wide variability in chemical compositions and physical properties across different biomass sources. These include ashes derived from woody biomass, agricultural residues, animal-origin biomass, and sewage sludge. Biomass ashes exhibit significant heterogeneity compared to coal ashes, which makes understanding their chemical composition—particularly the major components such as calcium (Ca), silicon (Si), and phosphorus (P)—critical for identifying suitable industrial applications. Special categories of ashes with elevated heavy metals and chlorine (Cl) levels are also identified and discussed. This approach enables the identification of sustainable utilization pathways, ranging from traditional uses, such as agricultural fertilizers and construction materials, to emerging applications in advanced engineering materials. Additionally, this paper addresses the assessment and mitigation of potential risks related to hazardous metals in biomass ashes.

Keywords: biomass; ash; fly ash; combustion; ash utilization (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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