Toxic emissions from smouldering combustion of woody biomass and derived char with a case study of CO build-up in an ISO container

ABSTRACT

Carbon monoxide (CO) from the use of biomass products causes some deaths in the United Kingdom every year. This study was undertaken to evaluate the amount of CO from five species of wood sawdust, and charcoal with a case study of CO in a confined ISO container. Laboratory experiments were conducted at temperatures between 350°C and 600°C under flowing air. Results showed a strong dependence of CO emissions on temperature and airflow. The CO emissions in the ISO container were above the recommended exposure limits due to poor ventilation.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Carbon monoxide
• sawdust
• charcoal
• temperature
• airflow
• confined space

Highlights

• CO emissions were quantified from wood sawdust and charcoal

• Accumulation of CO in confined spaces was simulated using an ISO container

• Temperature and airflow both affected the emissions of CO

• CO emissions from sawdust were in the range 98.8 to 258.0 mg/g

• CO emissions from charcoal were in the range 98.1 to 495 mg/g

• CO emissions in the ISO container increased with decrease in aeration and distance above the container floor.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Gas Safety Trust (UK), the Boat Safety Scheme (UK), Cranfield Forensic Institute (UK) and the Katie Haines memorial Trust (UK) for sponsoring this work. Gratitude for the experimental support provided by Adrian Mustey and Karl Norris.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Katie Haines Memorial trust, United Kingdom;Boat Safety Scheme, United Kingdom;Gas Safety Trust, United Kingdom.