Solid biomass is a promising alternative to traditional energy resources, able to successfully reduce the negative effects of climate change. The structure of energy production from renewable sources shows that solid biofuels have the largest share in Poland and the EU28. Thus, solid biofuels constitute an important and interesting alternative to solid fossil fuels. However, due to its wide variety of origin, logistics and processing technology, the properties and quality of solid biofuels may vary. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the thermophysical properties and elemental composition of solid biofuels of agricultural and forestry origin compared to solid fossil fuels. The research material were 20 types of solid fuel, including 16 renewable and 4 fossil fuels obtained from plantations of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn and from two heat generation and distribution enterprises (Olsztyn and Grudziądz). The experiment confirmed that selected solid biofuels from agriculture and forestry are a good alternative to fossil fuels like coal in terms of some thermophysical properties and elemental compositions. The content of ash in coal fuels was 3- to16-fold higher than in agricultural and forest origin biofuels. Moreover, the content of sulphur in coal fuels was from 5- to 31-fold higher than in agricultural and forest biofuels. Considering the above, the use of solid biofuels for energy generation may create a less negative effect on the environment than coal fuels. 

24.4.2019