Assessment on oxygen enriched air co-combustion performance of biomass/bituminous coal

The oxygen enriched air combustion performance and ash fusion characteristics of two typical agricultural and wood samples (corncob and hardwood) and bituminous coal were assessed using a thermal analysis technique. The effects of oxygen contents, sample kinds and blending ratios on the combustion performance were revealed, and the effects of sample properties and blending ratios on the ash fusion of samples were also evaluated. Biomasses showed better ignition performance and comprehensive combustion performance than bituminous coal. The ignition and comprehensive performance indices of corncob/coal blends were higher than those of hardwood/coal blends. Apparently, the combustion performances of biomass/coal blends improved with increasing the oxygen contents and blending ratios of biomass. Certain synergistic interactions were detected between Chinese bituminous coal and corncob or hardwood during the co-combustion at 100% and 80% oxygen contents. The ash fusion reactions of corncob, hardwood and bituminous coal mainly occurred in the ranges of 1036-1079 °C, 1046-1289 °C, and 1260-1290 °C, respectively, while the ash fusion reaction of corncob/coal blends occurred in the range of 1096-1289 °C.