Biomass combustion emissions

Biomass fuel quality impact on efficiency, emissions, and criteria air contaminants of heat and power generation

SFU's School of Sustainable Energy Engineering partners with Corix to enhance biomass plant efficiency (link)

Project Synopsis:

Biomass burning is one of the sustainable, environmentally-friendly routes for heat and power generation from solid organic waste products. It can replace natural gas as the primary energy source for thermal distribution in regional energy networks and electrical power generation. As the carbon in the biomass is predominantly absorbed from the atmosphere during biomass growth, it is generally considered as having near-neutral carbon intensity. As of 2014, Canada has approximately 70 biomass-generating power plants with a total installed capacity of 2,408 MW1. British Columbia has the largest share of Canada's bioenergy installed generating capacity. There is a growing need to add more capacity for biomass-burning facilities for power and heat generation. Most biomass feedstock is wood and wood base waste from industry (especially pulp and paper) or urban construction debris. Depending on the biomass's origin, the collection season, duration and conditions of storage, and other human-based interventions, the chemical composition, moisture content, ash content, and mechanical structure of biomass are varied. The variation of the fuel property based on feedstock leads to varying energy (power and heat) generation yield of the facility and corrosion, fouling, and degradation of the boiler systems and internal components. It results in changes in pollution (gaseous and particles) profile which impacts the performance of aftertreatment systems, stack emissions, and pollution dispersion in the near-field.

This project will investigate the effects of fuel quality, plant operating characteristics, energy demand, and weather on performance, efficiency, emissions, and dispersion of pollutants in a biomass-burning heat generation facility that serves SFU鈥檚 Burnaby Mountain campus. Multiple simulation tools will be developed, verified, and calibrated by experimental data collected from plant operation, ground base measurement of pollutants, a testbed, and weather data. The simulation tools will be used to understand the relationship between multiple parameters and the plant's energy output and environmental (air) impacts. The research will develop numerous technology guidelines (plant operation, cycle control parameters, fuel procurement, aftertreatment system), policy directions (technical and environmental feasibility, plant placement, emissions), and training of interns in a multidisciplinary, multifaceted research and industrial environment.

Objectives:

Develop a fuel quality indicator to achieve optimized plant operation and emissions;
Study and analyze the relationship between climate change, weather conditions, biomass burning operating parameters, and emissions to address multiple operational and environmental challenges;
Characterize emissions and dispersion to understand atmospheric pollution formation and distribution leading to exposure studies;
Obtain optimized combustion characteristics based on weather and energy demand;
Explore potentials for further CO2 and emission reduction;

Current Status

Three HQPs are actively advancing the project across complementary areas:

Biomass Characterization: Protocols for sampling and laboratory analysis are established, and moisture measurements are underway using both laboratory and industry meters. Work is expanding to include particle size, image-based, and chemical analyses.
Process Modelling: Aspen HYSYS has been adopted as the main simulation tool. Preliminary system models have been developed, and further refinement will continue with additional operational data.
Air Pollution Modelling: Initial plume dispersion modelling and sensitivity analyses have been completed, with seasonal variability studied using AERMOD. Results were presented at SEEGRAD 2025, and extended analysis is in progress.
Experimental Setup: A laboratory-scale testbed is being designed to support validation of model results and emissions analysis.