Effect of biomass-coal blending combustion on Pb transformation

Biomass-coal blending combustion is an effective method for utilizing biomass; however, its pollutant emission requires attention. Herein, the effect of biomass-coal blending combustion on lead (Pb) transformation was explored. Combustion experiments were conducted in a fixed-bed reactor, using coal, corn stalk, rice stalk, bamboo flour and their mixtures as fuels, at 1000, 1100, 1200 and 1300 °C. The Pb release ratios were determined by measuring its content in the fuels and solid-phase combustion products. The distribution of Pb forms was analyzed using sequential chemical extraction. The results indicate that blending combustion significantly enhanced the release of Pb. At blending ratio 1:1, the release ratios increased by 1.54-27.2%, 5.30-15.6%, and 2.31-7.76% at 1000, 1100, and 1200 °C, respectively. The potassium (K) components in biomass, mainly KCl and K2CO3, had a significant promoting effect on Pb release. K compounds facilitated the release of residual Pb through reactions with aluminosilicates. The promotion effect weakened as the temperature increased due to the faster evaporation rate of K. When the mass fractions of K in the fuels were equal, K2CO3 exhibited a stronger promoting effect. HCl had minimal impact on the transformation of Pb. The results are helpful for optimizing the combination of biomass and coal to control Pb emission from the blending combustion source.