Evaluation of Co-firing in a Pulverized Coal Boiler Using Multi-Biomass: Sawdust and Rice Husks

This study investigates the impact of co-firing biomass with coal at Pulverized Coal (PC) Boiler-type power plant. While fossil fuels, particularly coal, continue to dominate global energy production, they significantly contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Despite efforts to reduce coal-fired power generation capacity in Indonesia, coal remains a major component of the country's energy mix. To support the government's renewable energy goals and reduce GHG emissions, biomass co-firing is being explored as a viable solution. Various biomass types, including saw dust, rice husks, cocopeat, and palm shells, were evaluated for their potential in co-firing applications. Unlike other studies that utilize a single type of biomass, this study employs multiple biomass types, specifically sawdust and rice husks. The use of multi-biomass offers an alternative solution to the challenge of biomass feedstock availability. This research assesses both the technical and economic feasibility of biomass co-firing, with a focus on gross calorific value (GCV), Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI), generation cost and emissions reduction. Laboratory tests and combustion modeling were conducted to analyze the performance and environmental impacts. The results indicate that biomass co-firing can effectively reduce emissions while maintaining operational performance, positioning it as a promising strategy for sustainable energy production in Indonesia. In this paper, the authors aim to explore the impact of biomass utilization as a co-firing material in a PC Boiler power plant.