The Leaching of Soluble Chloride from Terrestrial and Water-based Biomass

Biomass is a potential carbon dioxide neutral and renewable energy resource. It has obtained worldwide attention in recent years as an alternative fuel. Biomass is converted into heat, electricity, and liquid fuels using combustion and gasification technologies. Abellon CleanEnergy pioneered manufacturing of bio-pellets in India from different agricultural and forest residues known as biomass. Chlorine and some alkali content present in the biomass produce several gases and harmful chemicals during combustion, which reduces shelf life of the boilers. Alkali and chloride removal from biomass by water washing before application to thermochemical conversion to biofuel is essentially required to protect combustion technology as well as to reduce emission of harmful gases. Chlorine content has been estimated in biomass, and also methods have been deployed to remove chloride. The highest chlorine content was found in Calotropis procecra, and the minimum content was found in sawdust among the selected eight varieties of biomass. The chlorine content of biomass was significantly reduced after its leaching out with water treatment.