Characterization of biomass woodchips as fuel for industrial boilers

This study aims to evaluate the implications of the use of maritime pine non-debarked wood chips as an alternative solid fuel in industrial boilers in Portugal, highlighting the energy properties and chemical composition of the ash produced. Several samples have been collected from different sources, on which an approximate analysis is carried out to determine the volatile matter content, fixed carbon content, ash content and higher heating value (HHV). The chemical composition of the ash samples is determined by the SEM — scanning electron microscope — method. Then, empirical indices are used to assess the behaviour of the ash and its tendency to create slagging and fouling deposits in industrial boilers during the combustion process. From the presented results it is clear that the use of maritime pine non-debarked wood chips can contribute significantly to the formation of slagging and fouling phenomena in industrial boilers. These phenomena will be responsible for increasing the number of technical stoppages of the equipment and for the increase in maintenance costs.