In order to serve our industries in the best ways possible, we have to keep up with them. Keep reading for the latest news in biomass.
New Solutions for Biomass Corrosion
Biomass fuel can come from a wide variety of sources, including virgin wood, plants, or animal residue, as well as recycled materials like demolition wood. The combustion can generate more or less corrosion/erosion, depending on the type of biomass. The boiler type is also an important factor. Fluidized bed boilers will optimize combustion, but also generate erosion. Various factors influence the choice of erosion and corrosion protection.
Cyril Narjoz, an IGS subject-matter expert on waste to energy and biomass boiler coatings, said “Some boiler operators believe that weld overlay is the only solution to protect boiler walls from biomass-induced corrosion safely. It was true many years ago, but now HVTS (High Velocity Thermal Spray) has proven its performance in several independent tests and practical applications. With its on-site application being much faster and easier than weld overlay, HVTS has become a favourable alternative for corrosion protection.”
Waste to Energy—Will We See an Increase in the Coming Years?
Right now, there are 71 waste to energy (WTE, or bioenergy) plants in the United States. Energy is generated by burning waste at high temperatures, which produces electricity. WTE plants only account for about 0.4% of total electricity generation—but there’s a lot of potential to increase that percentage in the coming years.
Implementing more WTE plants depends on the cost of energy in the future, in addition to alternative waste management processes. More countries are actively looking for solutions to waste disposal, especially with global limits being placed on exporting recycling. WTE plants are offering a possible solution.
WTE plants today are much more advanced than the trash incinerators of the past. Especially when you consider the innovative technology and design that’s being born in the waste management industry, WTE will likely become more widely utilized in the coming years.
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