Title:
Evaluation of a Microwave Sensor for On-line Measurement of Water Content in Solid Biofuels
Author(s):
Endriss, F., Thorwath, H.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Alongside other renewable energy sources, the combustion of biomass is of crucial importance for mitigating climate change. For the efficient operation of wood-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plants, key fuel properties must be accurately determined, as they directly influence combustion efficiency and pollutant emissions. Water content, in particular, affects multiple stages of the CHP process, from storage to combustion and pollutant formation. Low fuel quality not only affects performance but also increases maintenance costs, making fuel quality an important factor in procurement contracts. Currently, water content is typically determined by oven drying, a time-consuming method conducted at delivery. To improve operational efficiency, there is a need for quick alternatives suitable for on-line application use. Among others, microwave based approaches are promising methods for rapid or on-line measurement of the water content. While microwave sensors are established in fields such as food and coal analysis, their application in the biomass sector has not yet been sufficiently investigated. This study aims to evaluate the fundamental suitability of a microwave sensor for on-line measurement, creating the base for future calibration and industrial implementation. First promising results were shown with correlations of up to r = 0.98.
Keywords:
analysis, measurement, solid biofuel, wood chip, control system, water content
Topic:
Biomass Conversion for Bioenergy
Subtopic:
Biomass pre-treatment and production of intermediates
Event:
33rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
4CV.3.16
Pages:
809 - 813
ISBN:
978-88-89407-25-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/33rdEUBCE2025-4CV.3.16
Price:
FREE
