Sapropel use as a biofuel feasibility studies

Abstract

Renewable energy sources are of great significance in addressing the problems of energy resources, not only now but in the future. The resources of fossil fuel in Lithuania are very limited. Since fossil fuel resources are rapidly diminishing, there is a global focus on renewable energy sources and developing new energy-saving technologies. The use of energy sources such as sapropel (sludge lakes), not only require less imported fossil fuels, but also dealt with a very topical issue of environmental pollution. It was found that the use of briquettes consisting of sapropel can help save other energy resources. The combustion process of such briquettes is longer than conventional briquettes as sapropel samples reduce shrinkage and intensify the combustion process. Because of its good physical and chemical properties sapropel can be mixed with other types of biofuels such as straw, sawdust or peat. This study has found the calorific value of sapropel and its mixtures and the measured concentrations of gaseous pollutants sapropel briquettes during combustion. Manufactured briquettes (sapropel - straw, sapropel – peat, sapropel - sawdust) were combusted in a residential boiler and in the combustion process the concentrations of gaseous pollutants were measured. It was determined that the sapropel and biofuel addictives briquettes can be burned, and the concentration of pollutants at the combustion process does not exceed the normative limits.