Effect of rice husk co-combustion with coal on gaseous emissions and combustion efficiency

Investigation on co-combustion of Lakhra coal and rice husk blends was carried out in a drop tube furnace to measure its impact on flue gas emissions and carbon burnout. According to experimental results, the emissions of NO and SO₂ were higher in case of combustion of Lakhra coal compared to coal?–rice husk blends combustion. The emissions of CO decreased rapidly at higher furnace temperatures beyond 900°C. Minimum of CO emissions were nearly 45 ppm while SO₂ and NO emissions were found to be 554 and 120 ppm, respectively, for 15% biomass blending ratio and at exit furnace temperature of 1000°C. The unburnt carbon was found to be reduced significantly with an increase in furnace temperature and blending ratio. The study has shown that blending of rice husk would be a useful option to minimize SO₂ and NO emissions during combustion of Lakhra coal.