Assessment of Integrated Vanadium- and Platinum-Based Catalytic Reactors for Emission Reduction in a Small-Scale Wood Biomass Boiler Under Real Operating Conditions

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of woody biomass combustion under real operating conditions of a heating boiler equipped with an integrated platinum-promoted oxidation catalyst (Pt-OX) and vanadium-based catalytic reactor (V-CAT) system for pollutant emission reduction, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx). Various configurations of the catalytic flue gas treatment system were investigated, including single-stage, dual-stage, and multi-stage vanadium- and platinum-based catalytic reactor arrangements. The investigated system incorporated platinum-promoted oxidation catalysts and a vanadium-based monolithic catalytic reactor. No external ammonia or urea injection was applied during the experimental campaign. Therefore, the catalytic system was evaluated under realistic biomass combustion conditions involving nitrogen-containing species naturally generated during fuel conversion processes. The obtained thermal and emission parameters were compared with those recorded during boiler operation without catalytic treatment. The investigated catalytic configurations significantly reduced pollutant emissions, with the highest-performing arrangement decreasing NO emissions from 112 ppm to 11 ppm, corresponding to a reduction efficiency exceeding 90%. The results demonstrate the potential of integrated catalytic reactor systems for improving the environmental performance of small-scale biomass-fired heating units operating under real conditions.