Coal and biomass cofiring: fundamentals and future trends

Abstract Biomass cofiring is a promising technology to decrease the use of fossil fuels for energy generation and hence mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Coal and biomass cofiring accounts for the relevant advantages of a relative ease of implementation and an effective reduction of CO2 and other pollutant (SOx, NOx) emissions to the atmosphere. Cofiring biomass with coal may record no loss in total boiler efficiency after adjusting combustion output for the new fuel mixture. However, the guarantee of a stable and cheap supply of biomass, together with an optimum delivery system, is a key parameter for the success of biomass cofiring. Standardization in the characterization and treatment of biomass is also lacking. Future research on thermal, chemical, and mechanical characteristics of biomass; technical problems in burning biomass; and optimum cofiring conditions have to be addressed. Finally, incentives and favorable regulatory and environmental policies will be the major factors encouraging the development of the cofiring technology.