The small scale biomass combustion devices are responsible for fine aerosol emissions. The particles size distribution and particles number and mass concentrations in the exhaust gas from small scale wood combustion devices were investigated. The control of fine particle emissions was done by novel electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The ESP operates on the principle of particle charging in the negative corona discharge and further particle collection under the influence of aerosol space charge in the special designed grounded collector. The electrostatic precipitator is equipped with automatic system for collector cleaning from precipitated particles. During “steady­flame” combustion of wood­logs and wood­pellets, particle size distribution in the exhaust gas is mono­modal. The particle mean diameter and consequently particle mass concentration in the exhaust gas from wood­pellets combustion is lower than from wood­logs combustion. The use of novel ESP decreases particle emissions from biomass combustion devices. The fractional collection efficiency of the electrostatic precipitator achieves values of 90% and the mass collection efficiency is 87±3% recalculated to 13% Vol. of O2. A single­field pilot ESP was also tested with combustion of grains, mixed­and straw­pellets showing effective gas cleaning.

Proceedings of the 18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 3-7 May 2010, Lyon, France, pp. 1208-1218