On-line Nanoparticle Size Distribution Measurements of a 15kw Pellet Burner

Aim of this study was the continuous on-line determination of the particle size distribution in the exhaust gas of a pellet burner and the calculation of the emitted dust mass during constant operation at 15kW. Ignition, warm-up phase and burn-out phase of the burner operation were not the main focus. Motivation for this type of investigation is the recent revision of limit values for fine dust emissions from wood combustion in Germany, 1. BImSchV 2010. In particular the burners with an energy output 4 to 500 kW Limit value step 2: fine dust: 0,02g/m3, CO: 0,4g/m3, energy output >4 kW In order to conduct this study a special scientific pellet burner and a wood gas burner both with a nominal heat capacity of 15kW were used, available at the University of Applied Science in Ulm, Germany. The results presented in this paper are from the pellet burner only. The pellet burner is equipped with a automated feeder and uses standardised pellet material.