Utilization of Calliandra calothyrsus and Gliricidia sepium as co-firing fuel with consideration of ash-related issues

Abstract

Abstract Biomass can be utilized as co-firing fuel in existing power plants. Woody biomass such as Calliandra calothyrsus and Gliricidia sepium, which can be planted in degraded land, have short cycle, good survivability, and high energy potency, are potential to be utilized. However, adding biomass to existing power plant fuel may cause ash deposition problems such as slagging, fouling, abrasion, corrosion, and agglomeration. This study investigates the ash-related problems of co-firing C. calothyrsus and G. sepium with different type of coal using theoretical indices. The results show that addition of C. calothyrsus and G. sepium up to 50 wt.% has insignificant effect to the risk of slagging, fouling, abrasion, and agglomeration of co-firing fuel. Since the chlorine content in these biomasses increases the corrosion risk to high, the addition of C. calothyrsus is recommended up to 10 wt.% while G.sepium up to 15 wt.% for co-firing fuel.