Direct combustion systems to produce power from biomass from wood, forest and agricultural crop residue

"Off-the-shelf" conventional direct combustion systems are identified, their applications are discussed, and constraints to their use in developing countries are evaluated. Attention is given both to the systems" economic viability and their potential environmental impacts. Principles of biomass combustion are explained, and tables of biomass fuel analyses and sample combustion calculations are given. Handling and processing of biomass materials, including drying to aid combustion, are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of biomass-fueled electric power plants are analyzed as are the costs associated with a typical 16 megawatt electric biomass-fueled plant producing 50% cogenerated steam. The appendix lists names and addresses of vendors of combustion systems and equipment needed to handle biomass materials. A 10-page bibliography is included. (Author abstract, modified.)