Pellet combustion characteristics and emission of cocoa pod shell and coal blends

This study was carried out to investigate co-firing of torrefied cocoa pod shells (CPS), coal, and their blends with torrefied CPS/coal of 45/55, 30/70, and 15/85. The pelleted samples were burned in a top-lit updraft (TLUD) stove to assess mass-loss rates, flame temperatures, and flue gas emissions. The results of the study showed that the mass-loss rates and flame temperatures of the blend were closer to the combustion characteristics of the coal along with the smaller percentage of CPS. CO and NOx emissions of the blends increased in proportion to the percentage of torrefied CPS in the blend. The supplement of CPS to coal had a significant effect on a reduction in SO2 emissions. Overall, this study showed that torrefied CPS can be used as a supplemental fuel in coal/biomass co-firing up to 15. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.