Honors College | Session 3
Sampling and Analysis of Flue gas and Ash from Burning or Agricultural Biomass using BioBurner Combustion Unit
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Chemistry
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Bommana Loganathan, PhD.
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Murray State University’s Hutson School of Agriculture has installed a 500 kBTU/hr biomass burner at the Farm Center during the Fall 2014 academic year to evaluate various crops and biomass materials as energy sources. Very limited information is available on the characteristics of emissions from different feedstocks in biomass burners. Direct conversion of under-utilized agricultural biomass feedstocks to energy may provide a valuable and environmentally sustainable heat source for buildings. Objective of this study is to characterize the flue gas emissions and ash produced from the bioburner during the burning of wood chips, sorgum, mishcanthus, switchgrass, raw hemp and bagged hemp using a GC-MS and ICP-MS systems. In this study, we have collected flue gas from wood chips, sorghum, equine manure, switchgrass, raw hemp and hemp (without fiber) samples burned in the Bio-Burner. Emissions were collected using a BFS-2000 Isokinetic air sampler drawing flue gas through glass fiber filters and impingers containing deionized water and silicagel. Most of these materials are coming from the farm and are being reintroduced into the soil. Amount of feedstock burned ranged from 765 kg to 1255 kg. The amount of ash collected varied from 2 kg to 120kg. The mineral analysis in the ash samples was performed following the procedure of ASTM D3682. Oxides of Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Ca, Mg, K, Na, S, P, Sr, Ba, Mn were measured. Results revealed that the mineral composition of ash samples varied with different feedstocks burned.
Spring Scholars Week 2018 Event
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentation
Sampling and Analysis of Flue gas and Ash from Burning or Agricultural Biomass using BioBurner Combustion Unit
Murray State University’s Hutson School of Agriculture has installed a 500 kBTU/hr biomass burner at the Farm Center during the Fall 2014 academic year to evaluate various crops and biomass materials as energy sources. Very limited information is available on the characteristics of emissions from different feedstocks in biomass burners. Direct conversion of under-utilized agricultural biomass feedstocks to energy may provide a valuable and environmentally sustainable heat source for buildings. Objective of this study is to characterize the flue gas emissions and ash produced from the bioburner during the burning of wood chips, sorgum, mishcanthus, switchgrass, raw hemp and bagged hemp using a GC-MS and ICP-MS systems. In this study, we have collected flue gas from wood chips, sorghum, equine manure, switchgrass, raw hemp and hemp (without fiber) samples burned in the Bio-Burner. Emissions were collected using a BFS-2000 Isokinetic air sampler drawing flue gas through glass fiber filters and impingers containing deionized water and silicagel. Most of these materials are coming from the farm and are being reintroduced into the soil. Amount of feedstock burned ranged from 765 kg to 1255 kg. The amount of ash collected varied from 2 kg to 120kg. The mineral analysis in the ash samples was performed following the procedure of ASTM D3682. Oxides of Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Ca, Mg, K, Na, S, P, Sr, Ba, Mn were measured. Results revealed that the mineral composition of ash samples varied with different feedstocks burned.