Analysis of the efficiency of a solid fuel boiler depending on the choice of combusted fuel

AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, Department of Fossil Fuels, Mickiewicz Ave. 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland

^* Corresponding author: gpelka@geol.agh.edu.pl

Abstract

In the municipal and residential sector in Poland, as many as 50% of households are heated by solid fuel boilers. Most often these are, unfortunately, inefficient boilers, fired with low-quality coal. This study characterizes the market of boilers for solid fuels in Poland, and also presents the main apportionment of these devices, due to the different criteria that characterize them. The current legal changes in the scope of energy and emission requirements for solid fuel boilers are also discussed. The main purpose of this work is to analyze the real efficiency of the solid fuel over-fired boiler used, depending on the fuel burned in it. The process of burning selected fuels (seasoned wood, coal and pea coal) in the boiler was preceded by tests of these fuels to determine their energy parameters, such as moisture, ash content, the share of volatile matter and calorific value. In the next step, the energy efficiency obtained by the tested solid fuel boiler during the combustion of selected solid fuels was compared. The highest efficiency was achieved during the combustion of pea coal, and the lowest was achieved during the combustion of wood. In any case, the nominal efficiency value was achieved. Solutions that could improve the quality of the combustion process in this type of boiler were proposed.