Wood Fuel Pellet

There are variety of modern renewable and alternative heating solutions. For example solar thermal units which capture the suns energy into hot water, and other solutions such as geothermal power. The most popular alternative home and business heating solution is that of wood fuel pellets for use in pellet stoves and boilers. A wood fuel pellet is simply a compressed form of sawdust. This sawdust can be either softwood or hardwood, or even a mixture of the two. Compared to burning logs, wood pellet fuel generates more heat, less ash, less smoke and requires much less maintenance. It is also much quicker and easier to start the fire. Most pellet combustion units have an inbuilt hot rod igniter which can start the fire with the turn of the wall thermostat. Wood pellet fuel is also advancing further with the development of torrefied wood pellet fuel. A torrefied wood fuel pellet has over the twice the energy content of a standard wood fuel pellet. Torrefied pellets also generate no smoke, even on start up and shut down. Torrefied wood pellet fuel is also water resistant and can be stored outside.

Wood Pellet Fuel and Different Grades

Different types of wood resource produce different grades of wood pellet fuel. For example there is slight difference between softwood and hardwood fuel pellets, however the percentage of bark makes the most difference. Increased bark content does not effect the heat value of the fuel pellets, however it does have an impact on the percentage of ash produced. More bark means more ash. This has therefore led to different grades of wood pellet fuel. Pellets which contain little or no bark are referred to as premium pellet fuel, and produce around 0.5% ash. Pellets which contain bark will generate a higher ash content of up to 3%. Higher ash content wood pellet fuel is referred to as industrial grade pellets. Other than the increased amount of ash the pellets burn just as well, generating the same value of heat. To meet future pellet fuel market demand a wider grade of wood pellet fuel needs to be used in home heating appliances such as wood pellet stoves and wood pellet boilers. However not all wood pellet burners can use higher ash content fuels.

Wood Pellet Heating and Pellet Stoves

The reason not all pellet burners can use higher ash content wood pellet fuels is due mainly to the design of the combustion zone. Some pellet burners are built so closely to the characteristics of premium pellet fuel. any change in the quality of the fuel, and the pellet burner will generate issues. The simple reason some pellet stove and boiler manufactures do this is it is cheaper to make their products this way. For example, premium wood pellet fuel generates the least corrosion. So, the manufactures built the combustion chamber and heat exchanger out of only thin grade steel. Owners of these pellet stoves and boilers are tied to burning only expensive premium fuel pellets.

Wood Pellet Manufacturing and Details

The Wood Pellet Production Guide © PelHeat Ltd - Wood Fuel Pellet