Energy From Biomass

Today, the need for alternative energy sources is clear. Our dependence on fossil fuels is no longer sustainable or affordable. There is a limited supply of fossil fuels, and as the global population continues to increase at an accelerating rate, those supplies cannot meet the demands of a growing population. Also, fossil fuels are now known to be a key contributor to climate change and carbon emissions. Therefore the need for alternative energy sources such as biomass is driven on energy supply, cost and environmental concerns.

The issue is how do we capture the energy from biomass. Biomass in its natural form is not an ideal fuel source. Biomass generally has a low bulk density and therefore also a low energy density. Also the moisture content of raw biomass is generally too high to provide efficient combustion. Therefore the biomass requires processing into a more useable form of energy. Pellets are part of that biomass solution.

Biomass Renewable Energy and Pellets

As discussed, biomass in its raw form is not ideal as an energy source due to its low density and high moisture content. One of the simplest ways to turn biomass into a highly efficient and cheap form of energy is to compress the biomass material into pellets. Pellets are in the shape of small cylinders, which for fuel pellets are usually 6 or 8mm in diameter. Pellets have a much higher bulk and energy density compared to the raw material and also a much lower moisture content below 10%. This enables the pellets to burn much more efficiently than raw biomass.

There are also developments to make biomass pellets even more efficient, and have a higher energy density. One interesting practice is torrefaction. Torrefaction is where the biomass is heated to between 200 and 300 degrees, and a lot of the unwanted volatiles which reduce combustion efficiency are burnt off. What is left is a much purer form of carbon which not only burns much more more efficiently than standard wood and biomass pellets, it also have several other benefits. This benefits include being hydrophobic, which means the pellets are not susceptible to moisture as fuel pellets currently are. Torrefied wood and biomass pellets are gaining ground, and are the future.

Biomass Heating and Biomass Stoves

Converting biomass energy into pellets brings home heating with solid biomass fuel away from high maintenance log stoves into the 21st century. Modern pellet stoves and boilers have various automated features which reduce the work load of the owner. For example fuel hoppers on pellet burners usually hold at least a days worth of fuel. However some have large external hoppers which hold a years supply.

Biomass Pellet Mill and Pellet Production

The Wood Pellet Production Guide © PelHeat Ltd - Energy From Biomass