ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Assessing the Emissions and Suitability
of Agro-Based Pellets for Small-Scale
Residential Heating Appliances in Serbia
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1
Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4,
11000 Belgrade, Serbia
2
Faculty of Environmental Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague,
Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
Submission date: 2024-02-27
Final revision date: 2024-03-21
Acceptance date: 2024-04-27
Online publication date: 2024-08-02
Corresponding author
Van Minh Duong
Faculty of Environmental Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technicka 5, 16628, Prague 6 Dejvice, Czech Republic
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ABSTRACT
Emissions from small-scale heating appliances significantly contribute to exacerbating Serbia’s
severe air quality challenges. This study investigates two types of pellets, produced from wheat crop
residue and a mixture of wheat and rapeseed, as potential alternatives to wood pellets. The analysis
covers key solid biofuel characteristics, including heating value, moisture, volatile matter, elemental
composition, ash content, and melting temperature, in accordance with normative specifications. Results
reveal that agropellets from wheat and the mixture fail to meet established requirements, disqualifying
them from any ENplus classification. Emission characteristic tests, conducted in an automatic residential
pellet stove, measure O2, CO2, CO, NOx, SO2, and TOC. Comparative analysis with wood pellets
quantitatively indicates higher gaseous pollutant emissions from agropellets. Notably, the combustion
of agropellets proves unsuccessful, leading to the extinguishing of the fire in the appliance, rendering
them unsuitable for household use. The findings underscore the importance of ensuring high-quality
pellets are available on the market and in domestic appliances, presenting implications for end-users and
policymakers. Addressing these issues is crucial for mitigating air quality concerns and further study
associated with heating in households.