Alina Kowalczyk-Juśko

The Influence of the Ash from the Biomass on the Power Boiler Pollution

Manufacturing units, which use biomass for combustion and co-firing, are obliged to gradually increase the amount of biomass from agricultural sources in place of timber biomass from forests. Many different species of trees that grow on arable land, bushes, grasses or perennials can be used for energy purposes. A huge variety of plants that give biomass useful in the power industry, is connected with a large diversity of physical characteristics (hardness, specific gravity, moisture content, porosity) and chemical composition. It significantly affects not only the calorific value of biomass but also the condition of the boilers in which it is burnt. This paper presents the results of the research concerning the influence of the process of combustion biomass from seven plant species on the boilers fouling on the basis of ash chemical composition. The indicators used for the analysis were as follows: boilers slagging, the tendency of fuel to form impurities, sintering and agglomeration. A significant variation in the content of alkalies was shown that cause the formation of sediment on the boilers heating surfaces. The smallest risk of heating boilers fouling is associated with perennial grasses incineration, especially the ones from the Miscanthus species that contain significant quantities of silicon monoxide, which is responsible for the heating surfaces erosion. The usage of polycarpic plants, such as Virginia mallow or Jerusalem artichoke, may cause pollution deposition and reduce the efficiency of boilers to the greatest degree. Because the biomass of different plant species exhibits the diversity of energy parameters and tendencies to foul boilers, there is a need to select the material to the combustion carefully. Moreover, blends of biomass raw materials (or biomass with coal) should be composed so that they are adapted to the boiler parameters and to the conditions of the combustion process.

The State of Water and Wastewater Management in the Municipalities of the Roztocze National Park

The aim of this paper is to present the current state of water and sewage management in the communes where the Roztocze National Park (RNP) is located. The park is located in Lubelskie voivodship, in the territory of four communes: Zamość, Zwierzyniec, Adamów and Józefów, while its buffer zone is located in the communes of Krasnobród, Tereszpol and Szczebrzeszyn. The paper uses data from surveys conducted in these municipalities in 2016. On average, 68.9% of the population used the water supply system in the municipalities surveyed, while 33.4% of the inhabitants had the possibility of discharging sewage to the sewerage system. In the area of the communes, there are 10 collective, mechanical and biological wastewater treatment plants with a capacity exceeding 5 m3·d-1. The households which are not connected to the sewage network discharge wastewater mainly to non-return tanks. Four out of the seven surveyed communities had 64 domestic sewage treatment plants, including 60 systems with infiltration drainage, which do not ensure high efficiency of removing pollution and may even contribute to the degradation of groundwater quality. In order to solve the existing problems in the area of sewage and water management occurring in the communes where the Roztocze National Park is located, it is necessary to further develop collective sewage systems and equip the areas with dispersed buildings with highly efficient, residential sewage treatment plants, e. g. constructed wetlands.

Hybrid Constructed Wetlands for the National Parks in Poland – The Case Study, Requirements, Dimensioning and Preliminary Results

Poland is proud of 23 National Parks (NPs) which were established to protect unique European areas. Through cooperation between Life Science University in Lublin and the NPs, highly effective methods for environmental protection were introduced in Roztoczanski and Poleski National Parks. One method is a hybrid treatment wetland (HTW) for wastewater treatment. HTWs, if well designed and maintained, can effectively treat wastewater generated in houses and museum buildings in the area of the NPs. In 2014, three HTWs were constructed in Roztoczanski National Park (RNP) (A – Kosobudy, B – Zwierzyniec, C – Florianka). One of these installations was constructed in the shape of a fir tree (A – Kosobudy). In 2015 another one, in a turtle shape, was built in Poleski National Park (PNP) (D – Stare Zalucze). Similar wastewater treatment technology was applied in all facilities. The technology consisted of three steps: (i) mechanical treatment in three septic tank chambers, (ii) biological treatment in two or three stages of vertical and horizontal beds, and (iii) inactivation of phosphorus in p-filter with calcium-silica rock. Since the very beginning all facilities have been monitored and the results indicate very low concentrations of pollutants in the final effluents. It can be concluded that HTWs working according to the assumed technology fulfill the strict requirements for wastewater treatment in NP areas in Poland.

The Effect of Adjustable Outflow on the Fluctuations in the Level of Surface and Ground Water

This paper aims to analyze the variability of the surface and ground water levels in Ambona peatlands. The depth at which the ground water table occurred was studied with reference to the adopted land drainage standards. The studies were carried out in 2009/10–2015/16 for natural and regulated water outflows. The analysis of annual total precipitation suggests that in the analyzed period some years were very wet (2009/10 and 2013/14), some were wet (2010/11, 2012/13 and 2015/16), one year was dry (2014/15) and one year was normal (2011/12). The 7-year average seasonal precipitation amounted to 598 mm, which was 71 mm higher than the average precipitation recorded in 30 years. The level of water in the river under adjustable outflow conditions ranged from 55 to 77 cm. The level of water under natural outflow ranged from 18 to 49 cm. In the area with adjustable outflow, the average draining depth was 47 cm. In the remaining area, not covered by the irrigation system, the draining depth was 64 cm. Additionally, the dynamics of variance in the water level under natural outflow conditions was clearly higher.

Evaluation of the possibilities of using water-damming devices on the Tyśmienica River to build small hydropower plants

Abstract Hydropower plants in Poland currently use only 19% of the river’s energy potential. Development of hydropower is limited by environmental regulations as well as by economic grounds. From the environmental point of view, it is desirable to build small hydropower plants integrated into the local landscape. This paper presents results of the research aimed at estimating the amount of energy that could be produced in the case of small hydroelectric power plants on weirs existing on the Tyśmienica River. There is also a legal framework that should be adapted at hydropower development. It was calculated that the technical capacity of the small hydropower plants that could be built on 4 existing weirs, is 0.131 MW. These power plants could produce 786 MWh of electricity per year. The economic efficiency of this production is currently difficult to assess, because a new support system for renewable energy sources is currently being implemented, which will be a decisive factor for entrepreneurs. It should be borne in mind that potential investments will be made in protected areas within the Natura 2000 network, which may limit their constructing or impose the obligation to assess their impact on selected environmental elements. Location within the protective area does not eliminate such investments, especially when solutions with the least possible environmental impact are used.

The changes of surface and ground water level on the effect of regulated outflow

Abstract This paper aims to analyze the variability of the levels of surface and ground water in the Ochożanka basin. The depth at which the ground water table occurred was studied with reference to the adopted land drainage standards. The studies were carried out in 2009/2010–2014/2015 for natural and regulated water outflows. The analysis of annual total precipitation in the analyzed period some years were very wet (2009/2010 and 2013/2014), some of them were wet (2010/2011, 2012/2013), one year was dry (2014/2015) and one year was normal (2011/2012). The six-year average seasonal precipitation amounted to 593 mm, which was 66 mm higher than average precipitation recorded in 30 years. Under regulated outflow conditions the level of water in the river ranged from 55 to 77 cm. The level of water under natural outflow ranged from 18 to 49 cm. In the area with regulated outflow the average ground water level was 47 cm. In the remaining area of drainage system ground water level was 67 cm. Also, the dynamics of variance in the water level under natural outflow conditions was clearly higher.

EVALUATION OF OPTIONS FOR ERECTING SMALL HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS ON THE RIVER BYSTRZYCA PÓŁNOCNA

This paper contains an analysis of conditions for erecting small hydroelectric power plants on the selected river in Lublin Region. The analysis covers technical options of the location of the facilities and their energy potential split into theoretical and technical potential. In addition, it refers to the most important legislative acts governing water management, including environmental protection. According to the analysis, the technical potential of small hydroelectric power plants on the river Bystrzyca Północna is about 125.5 kW. Energy production capacity is limited by both hydrological conditions and the necessity to adapt to regulatory framework concerning nature and environment protection, superior functions of watercourses and their situation in agricultural land.

EFFECT OF ANTHROPOGENIC POLLUTANTS ON THE QUALITY OF SURFACE WATERS AND GROUNDWATERS IN THE CATCHMENT BASIN OF LAKE BIALSKIE

The work evaluates the effect of anthropogenic pollutants on the quality of water in Lake Bialskie (51o32’07” N 23o00’55” E) and its catchment basin. Samples of water were taken from the lake (4 sampling points) and from wells dug within the catchment basin. The quality of water was analysed in May, June, August and November 2015. In the wells only in single cases was the level of chemical pollution found to exceed drinking water standards. However, in all samples the standard content of manganese was exceeded. In waters from the lake the concentrations of total phosphorus, which can contribute to eutrophication were recorded above the standard level. Both in waters from the lake and from the well a large count of mesoand psychrophiles and Coli and faecal coliforms as well as faecal Enterococci was found, which points to a high degree of contamination of the analysed waters with anthropogenic faeces. The phenomenon was observed to intensify in summer months, which can be associated with increased tourist traffic around the lake in this period.

ASSESSMENT OF BIOMASS RESOURCES FROM THE CARE OF PINE STAND

The paper presents the results of the research of the potential of woody biomass derived from the afforestation tending. Evaluation of the quantity and energy characteristics of biomass acquired from care of 20 year old pine stand (late cutting). Moreover, based on the CSO data about the size of afforestation in subsequent years, the amount of waste from plantings care obtainable in the country was determined. It was found that the surfaces for afforestation already in the phase of greenwood can be useful source of energy. Biomass sourced from the care of plantings can be valuable raw material, especially at the local level.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF THE USE OF PEAT FOR AGRICULTURE AND ENERGY AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate physical and energetic parameters of peat. Utility of the peat in horticulture and power generation were also estimated. Peat was mined from the Klejniki deposit, (Hajnówka municipality, Podlaskie province) in the north-eastern part of Poland. It was found that peat can be used for power generation, in the air-dry moisture condition. Peat parameters are similar to lignite. It can also be suitable for the production of horticultural substrates and incorporated into soil as a component for improving physical and chemical properties. The examined peat fulfills the requirements of for agricultural applications.