Biomass is commonly considered as a renewable fuel, which taking into account emission of CO2 does not contribute to the emission of the greenhouse gases. In the research, combustion tests of two types of fuel formed on the basis of straw with addition of polyethylene were performed in the laboratory. The article presents results of measurements of gas pollution coming from the combustion of the formed fuel. Obtained results were compared with similar literature data for the combustion of coal. The research covers also testing of chemical content, content of heavy metals and selected physical properties of ashes generated during the process of burning fuel based on straw.

The work contains a description of a developed experimental and theoretical method of modeling of solid waste combustion in a device equipped with a moving grate and capability to optimize the work of waste incineration plant. Implementation of this issue was based on results of experimental studies made on a laboratory scale boiler. This was possible by defining and testing indicators of quantitative assessment of combustion such as: reaction front rate, ignition rate, the rate of combusted mass loss and the heat release rate. These indicators as measurable "criteria indicators" allow transfer of parameters from a laboratory-scale unit, working in the transient regime into an industrial full scale grate device working continuously in stable determined conditions. This allows for wide optimization possibilities in the operation of a waste incineration plant, in particular the combustion chamber, equipped with a moving grate system.