The impact of domestic combustion of biomass pellets on the environment and human health: Example from Poland

Submitted data was used to write an article: Drobniak, A., Jelonek, Z., Mastalerz, M., Jelonek, I., Widziewicz-Rzońca, K., The impact of domestic combustion of biomass pellets on the environment and human health: Example from Poland – in preparation. Funding acknowledgments: The project is co-financed by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange within the Polish Returns Programme (BPN/PPO/2021/1/00005/DEC/1), the National Science Center, Poland (2022/01/1/ST10/00024), and the research activities co-financed by the funds granted under the Research Excellence Initiative of the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. Article Abstract: In the context of the European Union's intensified efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and meet climate targets, wood pellets have emerged as a pivotal element in the renewable energy strategy. Yet, biomass pellet combustion has been linked to a range of pollutants impacting air quality and public health. As biomass utilization gains popularity as a fuel for residential heating, it is important to determine this impact and enhance sustainable practices throughout the entire biomass energy production cycle. This study investigates the intricate dynamics of biomass pellet properties on their combustion emissions, with a specific focus on the differences observed between pellets of woody and non-woody origins. The data reveal a variation in pellet characteristics, especially regarding their ash and fines contents, mechanical durability, and impurity levels, and significant differences in the type and amount of utilization emissions. The results highlight potential health risks posed by the combustion of biomass fuels, particularly non-woody (agro) pellets, due to elevated concentrations of emitted particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ammonia (NH3), chlorine (Cl2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and formaldehyde (HCHO), all surpassing recommended limits. Moreover, the study reveals that emissions from pellet combustion could be partially predicted by analyzing pellet characteristics. Statistical analysis identified several key variables—including bark content, fines content, mechanical durability, bulk density, heating value, net calorific value, sulfur, and nitrogen content—that impact emissions of CO, NO2, H2S, SO2, HCHO, and respiratory tract irritants. These findings underscore the need for proactive measures, including the implementation of stricter standards for fuel quality and emissions, alongside public education initiatives promoting the cleanest and safest fuels possible.提交数据用于撰写论文：Drobniak, A.、Jelonek, Z.、Mastalerz, M.、Jelonek, I.、Widziewicz-Rzońca, K.，《家用生物质颗粒燃烧对环境与人类健康的影响——以波兰为例》（待发表）。 资助说明：本项目由波兰国家学术交流局（Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange）下属波兰归国学者计划（Polish Returns Programme，资助编号BPN/PPO/2021/1/00005/DEC/1）、波兰国家科学中心（National Science Center, Poland，资助编号2022/01/1/ST10/00024），以及由波兰卡托维兹西里西亚大学（University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland）研究卓越倡议计划资助的科研活动共同资助。 论文摘要： 在欧盟加大力度遏制温室气体排放、达成气候目标的背景下，木质颗粒燃料已成为可再生能源战略的核心组成部分。然而，生物质颗粒燃烧会产生多种污染物，对空气质量与公众健康造成负面影响。随着生物质作为民用采暖燃料的应用愈发普及，明确其环境与健康影响，并在生物质能源全生产周期中优化可持续实践，显得尤为关键。 本研究探究了生物质颗粒特性对其燃烧排放的复杂作用机制，重点对比了木质与非木质来源颗粒的排放差异。数据显示，不同颗粒的特性存在显著差异，尤其体现在灰分、细粉含量、机械耐久性与杂质水平方面，且其燃烧排放的类型与排放量也存在显著区别。研究结果表明，生物质燃料（尤其是非木质农用颗粒）的燃烧会带来潜在健康风险：其排放的颗粒物（particulate matter, PM）、一氧化碳（carbon monoxide, CO）、二氧化氮（nitrogen dioxide, NO₂）、硫化氢（hydrogen sulfide, H₂S）、氨气（ammonia, NH₃）、氯气（chlorine, Cl₂）、二氧化硫（sulfur dioxide, SO₂）与甲醛（formaldehyde, HCHO）浓度均超出推荐限值。 此外，本研究发现，通过分析生物质颗粒的特性，可以部分预测其燃烧排放情况。统计分析识别出多个影响CO、NO₂、H₂S、SO₂、HCHO与呼吸道刺激物排放的关键变量，包括树皮含量、细粉含量、机械耐久性、堆积密度、高热值与净热值，以及硫、氮元素含量。上述研究结果凸显了采取积极应对措施的必要性：包括实施更严格的燃料质量与排放标准，以及开展公众教育活动，推广最清洁、最安全的燃料。