Pollution from industrial scale biomass and how to control it
There is a growing trend to burn biomass on an industrial scale as a source of energy. This results in low-carbon energy, however there may be a price to pay in terms of toxic emissions such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, particulate matter or oxides of nitrogen.
Once we move beyond the domestic scale, both the importance of reducing emissions and the means available to do so increase. Industrial-scale biomass combustion plants have more sophisticated controls than the domestic-scale variety, meaning that the emissions which need to be treated can be kept within a tighter range. This allows the use of more sophisticated abatement technology.
Permits are often required to establish new plants, and compliance with stringent emissions standards may be a condition of obtaining these. Financial incentives may include grant finance or the ability to sell carbon credits, however obtaining either of these is likely to require stringent emissions controls.