Determination of co-combustion characteristics of lignites and biomass

Turkey depends on imports in terms of energy production and need to use its sustainable energy sources. Combustion of biomass together with Turkish lignites is the subject of this study. Co-combustion characteristics of the biomass and lignite samples were investigated in the present study. Calorific value of biomass-lignite mixtures was determined by an adiabatic bomb calorimeter. Decomposition behavior of the fuel mixtures was analyzed by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR was used to follow both the emissions during combustion and to investigate the decomposition mechanism. Structural characteristics and composition of the ash was examined using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. Addition of biomass to the lignite increased the heating value of the coal and reduced the residual matter and emission gases. This indicated utilization of biomass together with lignites a synergy was obtained which was both useful for combustion and environmental points of view.