Influence of the Use of Permanent Catalytic Systems on the Flue Gases Emission from Biomass Low-Power Boilers

Abstract

The paper presents the research results on the use of permanent catalytic systems applied to the surface of a low-power boiler deflector. The tests were carried out on a standard 15 kW retort boiler. The boiler was powered by three types of biomass pellets (wood pellets, wheat straw pellets, and hemp expeller). In the research cycle, the influence of the catalysts on the emission of individual compounds, CO, NOX, particulate matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and volatile organic compounds (VOC) and the influence on the temperature in the combustion chamber were examined. The tests used an exhaust gas analyzer, a dust meter, a two-channel aspirator, and a laboratory gas chromatograph stand with a flame ionization detector. Four catalysts (copper, manganese, titanium, and platinum) were prepared for the analysis. Each catalyst had three variants of the active substance concentration on the ceramic support surface: 17.5 g, 35 g, 52.5 g for CuO, TiO2, MnO2, and, respectively, 0.05 g, 0.1 g, and 0.15 g for platinum. Concerning the deflector surface, this concentration corresponded to 140, 280, and 420 g·m−2 for CuO, TiO2, and MnO2, and 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 g·m−2 for platinum catalysts. All the catalysts used contributed to an increase in the combustion temperature and a reduction in pollutant emissions. The results presented in the paper will allow the implementation of the developed solutions in the industry producing low-power boilers and in already-existing heating installations. The factor that motivates the introduction of changes may be continuously tightening European emission regulations.