Wood biomass combustion has recently been recognised as a major source of particulate matter (PM) and an important source of gaseous emissions. In my master's thesis, I focused on emissions from combustion of different types of wood biomass and use of different types of furnaces. Beech hardwood, pine softwood and different types of combustion devices (fireplace, old stove, new stove) were used for comparison. Additionaly, individual stages of wood burning (emissions that occur at the initial phase, i.e. the heating of the furnace and at phase of working temperature, with pre-prepared firebox) were investigated. On sampled filters potassium and levoglucosane were determined using ion chromatography. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined using GC/MSD, water-soluble organic carbon by using a TOC analyzer and carbon (organic, elemental and total) with thermal analysis with optical correction. Based on the measurements, I can conclude that the correlation between the particles and levoglucosan is high (92%). Therefore, levels of levoglucosan can be used for estimation of the source of biomass burning to particulate matter pollution. In accordance with measuments of levoglucosan and particulate matter, the conversion factor between levoglucosan and PM was deduced. It is 9.8 for beech wood and 4.5 for pine wood. Between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzo[b, j, k]fluoranthene (0,1-%) is most prevalent, followed by benzo[a]pyrene.
|
