Experimental study on ash morphology, fusibility, and mineral transformation during co-combustion of antibiotic filter residue and biomass

An ever-increasing attention has been paid to the treatment of antibiotic filter residue (AFR) due to its serious hazard and growing production. Duo to the unique features of AFR, the ash properties of AFR are still unclear. The effects of biomass blending on ash characteristics of AFR have yet to be sufficiently understood. In addition, little work has been performed on ash morphology, fusibility and mineral transformation during co-combustion of AFR and biomass. The present study dealt with the ash characteristics of AFR and its blends with biomass at various combustion temperatures and blended ratios. Experimental results indicate that the ash compositions in blended fuel AFR/poplar (PL) are generally identical as those in AFR but nearly independent of PL portion. Nevertheless, the mineral distributions in the blends of AFR and peanut shell (PS) vary greatly with the blended ratio, especially minerals containing calcium and silicon. There are more species of minerals in AFR/PS blends in comparison to individual fuels, but the condition of AFR/PL blends is significantly different. The present study was helpful to understand of ash behaviors of AFR and its blends during co-combustion, and further promoted the safe, clean and efficient utilization of AFR by co-firing technology. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.