Title:
Experimental Study on the Combustion of Several Vegetable Oils in an Emulsion Burner: Effect of Fatty Acid Profile of Vegetable Oils on Combustion Processes
Author(s):
San José, J., Sanz-Tejedor, M.A., Arroyo, Y.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
The use of vegetable oils as a fuel in burners is an alternative which offers certain advantages compared to their use in engines, the most important being that existing facilities can be switched from biofuels to oils by simply varying the burner adjustments. In addition, it is possible to use current vegetable oil extraction factories. Moreover, certain stages of the vegetable oil refining process may even be removed. Herein, we present the results obtained in the combustion of six different vegetable oils in an emulsion burner for heating purposes. The differences observed in the combustion processes of these oils with regard to gas emissions and energy efficiency could not be explained by only taking into consideration conventional parameters such as density, kinematic viscosity, elemental analysis, HHV and LHV among others. At this point, we reasoned that knowledge of the fatty acid profile of the oils might help us to understand their different behaviour in the combustion process. To explore this possibility, we studied six vegetable oils: rapeseed, soybean, sunflower, coconut, palm, and a commercial mixture-seed. To study the relationship of the fatty acid composition with energy efficiency and gas emissions, work was conducted in six stages. First, we described the use of vegetable oils as a fuel. The fatty acid composition of all the oils was then determined by high-resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy. Third, we developed an experimental facility to burn the oils, said facility comprising a steel-sheet air-cooled constant pressure combustion chamber. The facility is equipped with an analyser which allows gas emissions from the combustion process to be measured. We then carried out 54 tests (nine for each oil), varying fuel flow in the emulsion and excess air in the burner. Experimental testing was performed following well-defined conditions to ensure reproducibility of assays. Finally, the link between the fatty acid composition and the result of the combustion process in each vegetable oil was analysed
Keywords:
rapeseed, sunflower, coconut, palm, combustion oils
Topic:
Biomass Conversion Technologies for Heating, Cooling and Electricity
Subtopic:
Biomass and bioliquids combustion for small and medium scale applications
Event:
23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
2BV.2.16
Pages:
686 - 696
ISBN:
978-88-89407-516
Paper DOI:
10.5071/23rdEUBCE2015-2BV.2.16
Price:
FREE
