ORIGINAL PAPER
Toxic elements, leachability, and the results of thermal analysis of woody biomass from the environment with varying degrees of pollution
1
University of Silesia
2
Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation, Gliwice, Poland
Submission date: 2024-10-11
Final revision date: 2025-03-27
Acceptance date: 2025-04-23
Publication date: 2025-06-11
Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi – Mineral Resources Management 2025;41(2):121-142
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Experimental studies were conducted in laboratory conditions to assess the suitability of alder and birch for use in individual home furnaces and the potential storage of ashes in the environment. Raw biomass samples were combusted at 450–500 ± 15°C. The tree species (alder and birch) originated from Poland (Małopolskie Voivodeship) and the “Bory Tucholskie” National Park (Pomorskie Voivodeship). This study aimed to determine the content of toxic metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Tl) in raw biomass and its ashes, ions eluted from water eluates of ash, and to analyze the thermal degradation process of wood. In addition to the analysis, the study used inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and ion chromatography (IC), thermogravimetric analysis analyses (TG/DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction. The content of volatile parts in wood biomass ranges between 67.2–82.5%, ash content 2.9–19.1%, and calorific value 14.8–17.1 MJ/kg. Moisture content in the wood biomass ranges from 14.6–18.7% (birch) and 17–19.2% (alder). The content of toxic metals was generally low in raw biomass, except for Co, Zn, and Ni, and higher in ashes, varying depending on the origin of the biomass. TG/DSC curves allowed for the identification of the main stages of wood biomass degradation, corresponding to moisture content in the range of 2.73–5.83% (wt.%), ash (0.58–3.68% wt.%), volatile matter (59.63–76.46% wt.%), and fixed carbon (20.23–32.3% wt.%). Higher sulfate and potassium ion concentrations were detected in water eluates of ashes from the “Bory Tucholskie” National Park. The research results do not indicate that alder and birch may be used for low-temperature combustion. However, it is advisable to conduct comprehensive studies research in this area.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank Mr. Janusz Kochanowski, Director of the “Bory Tucholskie” National Park, for providing samples for research.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The Authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
METADATA IN OTHER LANGUAGES:
Polish
Pierwiastki toksyczne, wymywalność i wyniki analizy termicznej biomasy drzewnej ze środowiska o różnym stopniu jego zanieczyszczenia
biomasa, popiół, wymywalność, pierwiastki toksyczne, analiza termiczna
Przeprowadzono badania eksperymentalne w warunkach laboratoryjnych w celu oceny przydatności olchy i brzozy do wykorzystania w indywidualnych piecach domowych oraz potencjalnego wykorzystania i składowania popiołów w środowisku. Próbki biomasy surowej spalano w temperaturze 450–500 ± 15°C. Gatunki drzew pochodzą z Polski (województwo małopolskie) oraz z Parku Narodowego „Bory Tucholskie” (województwo pomorskie). Celem niniejszego badania było określenie zawartości metali toksycznych (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Tl) w biomasie surowej i jej popiołach, wymywanych jonów z eluatów wodnych popiołów i analiza procesu termicznej degradacji drewna. W badaniach wykorzystano metodę spektroskopii emisyjnej ze wzbudzeniem w plazmie indukcyjnie sprzężonej (ICP-OES) i chromatografię jonową (IC), wykonano analizy termograwimetryczne (TG/DSC) oraz dyfrakcję rentgenowską metodą proszkową (XRD). Zawartość części lotnych w biomasie drzewnej waha się między 67,2–82,5%, zawartość popiołu 2,9–19,1%, a wartość kaloryczna wynosi 14,8–17,1 MJ/kg. Zawartość wilgoci w biomasie drzewnej waha się między 14,6–18,7% (brzoza) i 17–19,2% (olcha). Skład mineralny badanych próbek jest mało zróżnicowany. Zawartość metali toksycznych jest na ogół niska w biomasie surowej, z wyjątkiem miedzi, cynku i niklu, oraz wyższa w popiołach, zróżnicowana w zależności od pochodzenia biomasy. Krzywe TG/DSC pozwoliły zidentyfikować główne etapy degradacji biomasy drzewnej, które odpowiadają zawartości wilgoci w zakresie 2,73–5,83% (wag.), popiołu 0,58–3,68% (wag.), materiałów lotnych 59,63–76,46% (wag.) oraz węgla stałego 20,23–32,3% (wag.). Wyższe stężenia jonów siarczanowych i potasowych oznaczono w eluatach wodnych popiołów z Parku Narodowego „Bory Tucholskie”. Wyniki badań Niejednoznacznie wskazują, że olcha i brzoza mogą być wykorzystane w spalaniu niskotemperaturowym; jednak wskazane jest prowadzenie kompleksowych badań w tym zakresie.
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