PERFORMANCE OF BIOMASS FUEL PELLETS OF DIFFERENT SIZES IN COMBUSTION HEATING FOR TOBACCO FLUE-CURING

The shape and size of pulverised biomass fuel pellets significantly affect the residual fly ash and pollutant gas emissions during combustion. In this study, poplar sawdust and peanut shells were used to prepare three types of Biomass pellet fuel (BPF) formulations - cylindrical rods with diameters of 6, 8, and 10 mm - and were tested using mature tobacco heating equipment. The results showed that the energy density of BPF with the same biomass raw material and crushed pellet density decreased when the particle diameter increased. The emission of CO, NO x, and particulate matter all increased with increasing BPF pellet diameter, as did the accumulation of ash residue in the furnace. Moreover, the smallest pellets of BPF made by poplar sawdust could improve the thermal efficiency of the heating equipment by 4.13%. These results can provide a reference for using BPF burners in tobacco plantation areas for flue-curing.