Effects of chlorine and sulphur on particle formation in wood combustion performed in a laboratory scale reactor

Olli Sippula (Corresponding Author), Terttaliisa Lind, Jorma Jokiniemi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

83 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fine particle formation in wood combustion was studied in a laboratory scale laminar flow reactor at various flue gas chlorine and sulphur concentrations. Aerosol samples were quenched at around 850 °C using a porous tube diluter. Fine particle number concentrations, mass concentrations, size distributions and chemical compositions were measured. In addition, flue gas composition, including SO2 and HCl, was monitored. Experimental results were interpreted by thermodynamic equilibrium calculations.

Addition of HCl clearly raised fine particle mass concentration (PM1.0) which was because of increased release of ash-forming material to fine particles. Especially the release of K, Na, Zn and Cd to fine particles increased. These species form chlorides which apparently increases their volatilization from the fuel. When a sufficient amount of SO2 was supplied in a chlorine rich combustion (S/Cl molar ratio from 4.7 to 7.5), most of the HCl stayed in the gas phase, release of ash-forming elements decreased and also fine particle concentrations dropped significantly. The sulphation of alkali metals is suggested to play a key role in the observed decrease in the fine particle concentration. It seems that the formation of sulphates leads to alkali metal retention in the coarse particle fraction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2425-2436
JournalFuel
Volume87
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • Alkali metals
  • Biomass combustion
  • Fine particles
  • Wood combustion

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