Efficient Cleaning and Heat Recovery of Flue Gas from a Small‐Scale Boiler

Small‐scale biomass boilers contribute to the emission of particulate matter (PM) to the environment. In this study, the performance of a wet‐scrubber purification system for flue gas was experimentally investigated. The experimental setup consisted of a boiler, a wet scrubber, a generator, and heat exchangers. The results showed an average PM collection efficiency of ca. 42 % for a PM size range of 0.08–10 µm over a testing period of five months. Furthermore, the results showed an improvement in the heat recovery of about 18 %. Focusing only on the heat losses through exhaust flue gases, the losses were shown to have decreased by 72 %. During the total testing period of 8.5 months, no decrease could be noticed in the absorption solution ability. Cleaning of flue gas from biomass combustion is required to prevent emission of particulate matter (PM). The long‐term performance of a wet‐scrubber purification system in cleaning flue gas from a small‐scale wood pellet burner was studied, and the heat recovery was measured. The scrubber showed high ability for PM removal, improved heat recovery, and no deterioration of the absorption solution.