New burner of pulverized olive cake: Feasibility and improvements

This study describes a new experiment to apply the pulverization technology for energy production from solid olive residue (olive cake). This is a contribution to the valorization of olive residue as a source of renewable energy available in the majority of mediterranean countries. A new burner made up of a coaxial cylindrical tube is especially designed and fabricated to produce an axisymetric turbulent reactive pulverized jet. A sample of olive cake comes from Tunisian origin is prepared for the experiment; this sample is crushed, dried and garbled in order to obtain small particles with a size below 200 μm. In order to start the combustion of the pulverized olive cake jet and maintain the main flame, two types of pilot flame were used: a central premixed flame of methane/oxygen and an annular diffusion flame of methane. This paper shows the experimental parameters to obtain a feasible jet flame of olive cake in free air. The improvements to the burner in order to enhance the combustion have been presented. The effects of particle size and pilot flame position have been discussed. Results show that the olive cake jet flame is obtained only with particles at a size below 200 μm. The combustion with an annular pilot flame ensures better burning conditions than a central pilot flame. The preheating system can improve the olive cake combustion.