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In this study, a developed two-dimensional mathematical model was used

to represent the physical model of the combustion process of olive cake

and date seed, and solve the governing equations using finite-volume

method. The simulation was performed using ANSYS/Fluent software in

order to estimate maximum temperature, heating values and pollutants

concentrations. The obtained results were compared with experimental

results, and corresponding values of oil shale and coal. The experimental

work of direct burning of olive cake and date seeds was performed using an

existing circulated fluidized bed (CFB) unit.

It was found that the adiabatic flame temperatures were 1380 K and 839 K

for olive cake and date seed, and 2260 K and 1080 K for coal and oil shale,

respectively. The experimental results showed that the maximum temperatures

were 1126 K and 723 K for olive cake and date seed, respectively. The

lower heating values were 19,500 kJ/kg and 16,400 kJ/kg for olive cake and

date seed, and 29,000 kJ/kg and 7000 kJ/kg for coal and oil shale,

respectively.

Thus, biomass such as date seed and olive cake may be used as an alternative

fuel in electrical power plants in olive- or date-producing countries,

which may save 40% of fuel cost.​