This research project seeks to promote the market acceptance of small biomass combustion facilities by investigating their fine particle emissions. For this purpose reliable data will be collected on the characterisation and quantity of the fine particle populations emitted by current designs of biomass combustion boilers, in dependence with the type of combustor, the operating conditions and the fuel type. Within the project an innovative Online-Measurement System (DEKATI Electrical Low Pressure Impactor) will be used, to determine the emissions and compare them with those measured by the chimney sweeper according to the recently updated German 1. BImSchV. Through the scientific analysis of the on-site collected data it will possible to show the influence of various combustion parameters on the emitted particles and suggest practical means for reducing these burden.

A key aspect of this work is the establishment of a wide databank from extensive field measurements, to be taken at biomass combustion facilities which are in current operation. These combustors, of different types and design, will burn different biomass fuels. In addition there will be performed laboratory measurements, using the experimental biomass combustion facility of the Institute of Energy Systems.

Main focus of all these measurements constitutes the online measurement of the fine particles. The thus obtained fine particle measurements will be analysed scientifically and published.

To achieve the project aims an extensive collaboration with third parties is planned. This includes, among others, the contribution from a project consultation committee, whose members are participants with a direct interest in the outcome out of this project. The project will also be networked within the framework of the Programme "Optimisation of the Energy Uses of Biomass" of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). For this purpose the results collected from the measurement campaigns within the project will be communicated to the German Centre for Biomass Research (DBFZ), in order to facilitate decision-making on the energetic utilisation of biomass.

 Financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through the

following a decision of the German Federal Parliament

within the Framework of the