Measurements of ignition point and combustion characteristics of biomass fuels and their blends with ligniteMeasurements of ignition point and combustion characteristics of biomass fuels and their blends with lignite Πλήρης Δημοσίευση σε Συνέδριο Conference Full Paper 2015-11-172011enThis work aimed at investigating the ignition behaviour and the combustion characteristics of various biomass fuels, one lignite and lignite/biomass blends and at evaluating the compatibility of each component in the blend. The experiments were conducted in a thermogravimetric analysis system (TGA) at non-isothermal heating conditions, over the temperature range 25-850°C. For ignition tests a heating rate of 3°C/min was used and the effects of particle size and moisture content of the fuels were examined. The results showed that the combustion process was controlled by the emission of volatile matter. Biomass materials with volatile contents up to78% indicated ignition temperatures between 236 and 270°C, while the lignite with volatile content 53% ignited at 274°C. Ignition and burnout temperatures were slightly increased with particle size and moisture content of the fuels. For the mixtures studied, it was found that the combustion characteristics of the blends followed those of parent fuels in both additive and non-additive manners. The similarity of ignitability of lignite and pine needles fuels implies economic and environmental benefits.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Combustion Institute Vamvouka Despoina Βαμβουκα Δεσποινα Chatib N El Sfakiotakis Stylianos Σφακιωτακης Στυλιανος Bio-energy (Biomass energy) Bioenergy (Biomass energy) Biofuels Biological fuels Energy, Biomass Microbial energy conversion biomass energy bio energy biomass energy bioenergy biomass energy biofuels biological fuels energy biomass microbial energy conversion