Development of a biomass-fired combustion unit for residential heatingDevelopment of a biomass-fired combustion unit for residential heating Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-10-272011enAn innovative combustion unit was designed and implemented, aiming at the production of thermal energy, using different types of biomass fuels. The unit was made out of conventional materials, had a nominal capacity of 65 kWth and comprised a silo, a continuous feedstock supply system, a desiccator, a cutting mill, and a cross flow boiler. Among the two residues tested, olive kernels produced a higher thermal efficiency and lower CO, SO2, and NOx emissions. A series of experiments, conducted at different biomass/air feed rates, showed that at a feedstock mass flow of 14.4 kg/h improved combustion conditions and heat recovery were obtained. Gaseous emissions were kept below the threshold limits and system efficiency was 81.3%. The unit needs to be optimized in terms of air supply and optimal parameters control systems.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Combustion Science and Technology1838764-778 Vamvouka Despoina Βαμβουκα Δεσποινα Sfakiotakis Stylianos Σφακιωτακης Στυλιανος Mourouzidis T. Bandelis G. Taylor & Francis Biomass Combustion Residential heating