Direct combustion of biomass

This chapter addresses the large-scale combustion of solid biomass to produce heat and power without co-firing of fossil fuels. It introduces the combustion process with a specific focus on issues important in the combustion of solid biomass such as the condition and chemical properties of the biomass fuel, the increased fouling and corrosion of heating surfaces associated with biomass compared to fossil fuels, as well as ash properties and sintering problems. Finally, specific issues regarding the different firing technologies - grate, fluidized bed and suspension firing - are reviewed.