Petr Kubesa

Aerosols and the methods of determining the characteristics of nanoparticles

The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of aerosols by defining and dividing them in terms of their size, spatial localization and composition. The paper briefly deals with the issue of the origins and formation of aerosols. Further, it describes the trends in measuring nanoparticles based on their electric field mobility behavior, condensation, optical properties and aerosol particle acceleration in an air-stream.

Production of dioxins and furans for various solid fuels burnt in 25 kW automatic boiler

There has been brown coal, black coal and maize straw in a pellet form burnt in an automatic boiler. Production of dibenzodioxins and dibenzofuranes, recomputated through toxicity equivalents, expressed as the emission factor relative to the fuel unit, has differentiated in a range of ca. three orders (0.05 up to 78.9 ng/kg) in dependence on a sort of the used fuel. The measured values have been compared with emission factors used for the emission inventory in the Czech Republic and Poland and with the emission limit applicable for waste incineration plants. The study has proven the influence of chlorine content in fuel on production of dioxins and furanes.

Lump wood combustion process

The article deals with the combustion process for lump wood in low-power fireplaces (units to dozens of kW). Such a combustion process is cyclical in its nature, and what combustion facility users are most interested in is the frequency, at which fuel needs to be stoked to the fireplace. The paper defines the basic terms such as burnout curve and burning rate curve, which are closely related to the stocking frequency. The fuel burning rate is directly dependent on the immediate thermal power of the fireplace. This is also related to the temperature achieved in the fireplace, magnitude of flue gas losses and the ability to generate conditions favouring the full burnout of the fuel’s combustible component, which, at once ensures the minimum production of combustible pollutants. Another part of the paper describes experiments conducted in traditional fireplaces with a grate, at which well-dried lump wood was combusted.

Emission of nanoparticles during combustion of waste biomass in fireplace

Contamination of air by solid particles is serious problem for human health and also environment. Small particles in nano-sizes are more dangerous than same weight of larger size. Negative effect namely of the solid particles depends on (i) number, (ii) specific surface area (iii) respirability and (iv) bonding of others substances (e.g. PAHs, As, Cd, Zn, Cu etc.) which are higher for smaller (nano-sizes) particles compared to larger one. For this reason mentioned above this contribution deals with measuring of amount, and distribution of nanoparticles produced form combustion of waste city biomass in small combustion unit with impactor DLPI.

Potential Utilization of Catalyst for the Combustion of Wood in Households

The application of stricter requirements on combustion devices is placing more pressure especially on the manufacturers of such devices. They can improve the emission parameters of their products e.g. by primary technical measures (modification of combustion air supply, modification of combustion chamber, introduction of a final combustion chamber, etc.) or by secondary technical measures, e.g. introduction of a catalyst into the exhaust route.

Evaluation of Possible Use of Foliage as a Fuel for Small Combustion Equipment

Biomass is a common fuel for small combustion equipment and also for heating plantsand power plants. Combustion of firewood, wood briquettes and pellets dominates in households.Thanks to high demand for biomass fuels its prices grow and it is necessary to look for cheaperalternatives. One of the alternative fuels can be foliage. In cities there is in autumn usually a plentyof fallen leaves. These leaves - foliage has to be composted or otherwise disposed of. Instead oftreating foliage as a waste it can be used as an alternative fuel. To serve as a viable fuel source thefoliage has to be processed into briquetts.This article deals with possibilities of producing briquettes from foliage and evaluation of theircombustion quality in small combustion equipment.