Evaluation of Catalytic Converter Utilization in Biomass Combustion Flue Gas Treatment

Abstract

Agriculture contributes to 17% of the world GHG emissions, with sugarcane plantations contributing approximately 11% of the total emissions from the agricultural sector. Bagasse, a biodegradable waste generated from sugar production, has potential as a biomass fuel. Biomass has gained attention as a renewable energy source due to its sustainability and availability. However, optimizing combustion efficiency while minimizing emissions remains a challenge. This research investigates the effects of a catalytic converter from a gasoline engine and excess air on particulate emissions from bagasse combustion in a fixed grate furnace. The primary objective is to determine the optimal combustion configuration that minimizes particulate emissions while maintaining high combustion efficiency. The study was done experimentally by varying excess air percentage combined with a catalytic converter. Temperature, PM10, CO, and CO2 emissions were measured to explain the effects of a catalytic converter and excess air. The results indicate that the catalytic converter effectively reduces CO emissions by enhancing oxidation, thus converting CO into CO2, while significantly reducing PM10 concentrations. Excess air improves the combustion and also oxidation process in the catalytic converter, but it does not have a significant impact on reducing PM. The combination of catalytic converter with 100% excess air produced optimal results in terms of lowest PM concentration and highest CO2 levels. This study highlights the advantages of a catalytic converter combined with excess air in improving combustion efficiency and reducing emissions. The findings provide valuable insights into cleaner biomass combustion technologies, contributing to the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions for future applications.