earticle

영어

Recently, public interest in electric power supply considering safety and environment is increasing. Among the available alternative energy sources including hydro, solar and wind power to mitigate greenhouse emissions, biomass is the only carbon-based sustainable option. However, wood pellets used in biomass power generation pose a risk of fire due to spontaneous combustion. Fires caused by spontaneous combustion of wood pellets have a significant impact on the environment and economy. Wood pellets are crushed during the process to become fine particles. In this experiment, the effect of particle size and quantitative difference of wood pellets on ignition was analyzed. Wood pellets were pulverized to 200㎛ size and the characteristics of wood pellets were investigated using an industrial analyzer and an elemental analyzer. The wood pellets were divided into 200㎛, 400㎛, 600㎛, 800㎛ sizes and a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) was used. The weight of wood pellets was classified into 3groups. The smaller the particle size of the wood pellets, the more rapid thermal decomposition occurred in the section where the volatile matter was burned and the higher the reaction rate. The smaller the amount of wood pellets, the faster the temperature rose, and the larger the amount, the slower it rose. Since the particle size of wood pellets is one of the biggest factors influencing spontaneous ignition, it is necessary to minimize the accumulation of fines and particulates in the bends of storage, piping and equipment, etc. in order to reduce the fire hazard caused by spontaneous ignition.