Activated combustion of biomass blends by microwave pre-treatment of straw

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the heat production and emissions of biomass blends consisting of commercial wood pellets and microwave (MW) pre-treated wheat straw pellets to intensify use of the straw in energy production. Three types of blends of wood and straw pellets with different pre-treatment conditions were used in this study. An experimental device consisting of a gasifier and combustor was used to analyse the effect of MW pre-treatment in blends on combustion characteristics: flame temperature, total heat power and product composition. The study revealed that MW pre-treatment of straw pellets enhances combustion characteristics of blends: faster thermal decomposition, increase of the flame temperature and combustion efficiency.