This study presents an alternative for adding value to greenhouse crop residues, used for (1) heating and (2) as a CO2 source. Both options are focused on greenhouse agricultural production but could be applied to other applications.
The influence of factors, such as the air/fuel rate and turbulence inside the combustion chamber, is studied. Our results show that for pine pellets, olive pits, tomato-crop residues, and a blend of the latter mixed with almond prunings (75–25%), the thermal losses ranged from 19.5–53.1, 20.5–58.9, 39.9–95%, and 29.4–75.5%, respectively, while the NOX emissions were 30–247, 411–1792, and 361–2333 mg/Nm3, respectively. The above-mentioned blend was identified as the best set-up. The thermal losses were 39.2%, and the CO, NOX, and SO2 concentrations were 11,690, 906, and 1134 mg/Nm3, respectively (the gas concentration values were recalculated for 0% O2). Currently, no other study exists in the literature include a similar analysis performed using a boiler with a comparable thermal output (160.46 kW).
The optimal configurations comply with the relevant local legislation. This optimization is important for future emission control strategies relating to using crop residues as a CO2 source. The study also highlights the importance of ensuring a proper boiler set-up for each case considered.
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Moreno, José & Hernández, María & Fernández, María & Sánchez-Molina, Jorge & Hernández, Juna Carlos & Fernández, Francisco. (2021). Boiler Combustion Optimization of Vegetal Crop Residues from Greenhouses. Agronomy. 11. 626. 10.3390/agronomy11040626.