Wood Pellets Guide - Home Heating Alternative

With the pursuit to find a reliable source of energy other than non renewable energy such as fossil fuels, lots of studies and researches has been done through the years. Biofuels made from biomass (organic materials) have been proven to be an effective substitute. These biofuels are derived from biodegradable materials such as manures, plants, etc. Now, let us focus more on another effective organic material, the wood pellets.

In general, the very fine wood particles (sawdust) when compacted turn into wood pellets. These wood pellets are considered to be a form of wood fuel. Wood fuel, in its simplest explanation, is a fuel generated from wood. Wood pellets are normally the byproducts of sawing logs or woods by method of sawmilling. However, this can also be produced by any activities that involve transforming and cutting of woods.

Wood pellets are basically solid and consistently hard. With the pellets’ very low moisture content (humidity of 6 – 10%), they contain higher energy component that is likely comparable to high caliber coal. This would only means that their low humidity content saves a lot of energy that is needed to burn the amount of moist. These characteristics – a diameter of about 6 – 8mm, usually 2cm long, lower humidity and high density – allows the wood pellets to be automatically used in clean – burn heating appliances. Moreover, these attributes make the wood pellets highly effective as a burnable material.

In addition, since wood pellets are considered to be a biomass, then they should be environmental friendly. They release less emissions and ashes that could be detrimental to the surroundings. As mentioned, these pellets are compacted, thus they do not need a lot of space unlike any other type of wood fuel. This would also make it easier to ship even in long distance.

Not frequently used to manufacture pellets are similar organic materials such as straw, corn, etc. As a renewable material, wood pellets give the benefit of continuous energy supply. Moreover, woods and logs are not basically cut down to produce wood pellet but they are merely the byproduct of any wood processing activities. Also, pellets are actually waste materials, therefore utilizing them as an energy source would mean lessening the problem on waste disposal.

With the current situation, where the cost of fossil fuels is expected to continually rise, installation for more capable pellet heating systems resulted. From the year 1999, there have been numerous pellet stove models, heating furnaces and other form of heating machines that are widely distributed in the markets.

These stoves specifically designed for wood pellets are advantageous over other types of home heating systems. The usual wood stoves need more constant maintenance compared to wood pellet stoves. They are easy to operate and even more convenient than using traditional stoves. Though physically, they may look like the usual traditional stoves, however, they have microprocessor controls that ensure a clean and efficient fire.

As of 2005, the demand for wood pellets as a wood fuel has significantly increased due to costly fuels in different parts of the world.

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Wood pellets as a source of alternative energy over the usual non renewable fossil fuels have been gaining a lot of interest all over the world. As a matter of fact, heating systems designed specifically for the use of wood pellets are now widely available in the markets of some countries across the globe.It is believed that wood pellets as a wood fuel (a form of biofuel) is better than any other kinds of fuel. In fact, it can be compared to high quality coal and other similar goods. Below are some strong points of wood pellets as an alternative fuel.

• Environmental Friendly
Wood fuels which include fuel derived from wood pellets release lesser amount of ashes and emissions that are harmful to the environment and to human beings. The carbon dioxide that is released during the combustion of wood pellets is being used by the growing plants. Thus, it does not add up to the problem of global warming. Moreover, there would be no worries on how to dispose wood pellets which are basically waste products because they can still be utilized as an alternative fuel. This would greatly reduce problems on waste management.

• Convenient
Wood pellets are generally small – sized, highly densed and compacted unlike other biomass fuels such as wood chips. These characteristics would make a stack of wood pellets easy to store and transport. Their small, regular and uniform shapes enable them to flow like a fluid resulting on easy feeding on automated heating systems.

• Available
Availability has been always one of the concerns in the use of non renewable fuels. There may be numerous resources now, but it might create a problem on scarcity in the future. This is where the production of biomass fuels enters. Wood pellets, a biomass, are byproducts of sawmilling and other similar activity. With this in mind, instead of discarding these waste materials, these can be utilized as a useful alternative source of energy. As long as trees are continually growing and a balance between cutting and planting exists, availability would not cause a major problem.

• Effective
Wood pellets are proven effective as a wood fuel. Their low moisture content (humidity is typically 7 – 8%) does not require a lot of energy to burn it off making them highly efficient burnable material. Moreover, this feature also explains why it is easier to ignite (7-8% against 30-35% humidity of wood chips). Wood pellets generate high heat output.

• Natural
Aside from being biodegradable, chemicals or additives are not necessary in manufacturing wood pellets. A natural substance called lignin is found in wood itself that serves as a binder. A small amount of maize starch is added though sometimes. Furthermore, the wood pellets are manufactured from pure and not contaminated woods.

• Versatile
Wood pellets can be used in stoves (pellet stoves models and most traditional stoves), boilers, heating furnaces and similar heating systems. Lots of these appliances are now available in the markets.

These are the benefits that can be gained in utilizing wood pellets as biomass fuel. Such advantages make the wood pellets more popular among the manufacturers and consumers.

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In the past years, burning wood has been widely used in heating systems in many homes in different parts of the world. However, the demand of burning wood as a source of energy is challenged by the entrance of wood pellets and their related products.

Wood pellets are highly densed, compressed, low moist materials which are primarily derived from compacted sawdust. They have been proven to be effective wood fuel that can be utilized in many heating system machineries. As a matter of fact, currently they are gaining popularity among consumers from North America, Denmark, Austria and Sweden. Moreover, several other countries are also interested to start manufacturing this kind of wood fuel.

On the other hand, the usage of wood in heating appliances is still widely utilized among domestic homes. The fact that they are abundant in several countries and without a doubt efficient, the demand for wood burning is still high.

However, there have been many comparisons of these two forms of biomass fuel as to which one is the better alternative fuel.

Electricity

During winter season where heat system is generally needed, it cannot be avoided that there would be possibility of power failures in certain areas.
Wood: Most woodstoves can be operated without the use of electricity depending on the model.
Pellet: The augers of pellet boilers and fireplace inserts require the use of electricity to run and feed the pellets. Also, pellet stoves’ blowers that propel out the heat need electricity. However, a backup battery can be utilized.

Availability
Wood: It depends on the area. But, if the area is abundant of wooded land, then it would not create a major problem.
Pellet: Wood pellets are byproduct of wood processing activity. This means that instead of disposing them, manufacturers make use of them. The trees are not primarily cut down to produce wood pellets. They are product of innovation.

Cost
Wood: Again, it depends on the availability and demand for them. Furthermore, the chimney that is needed to vent the emission may be quite expensive with the use of wood stoves.
Pellet: If the pellet stove is positioned against a shrubbery outside walls, venting can be through a simple, short, special stainless steel chimney. However, most pellet stoves are more expensive than most wood stoves.

Placement
Wood: For most wood stoves, a distance of one foot or more against the wall is needed.
Pellet: The distance required to keep away from a wall for most pellet stoves is usually 3-6 inches only.

Appearance
Wood: The flame produced from burning wood can be mesmerizing. It produces some kind of romantic and vibrant feeling.

Pellet: The property of being low moist material makes them easier to burn the moist. Quite intense flame can be observed.

Despite the many comparisons between wood stoves and wood pellets stoves, both are advantageous over other form of fuels. They come from trees and ss long as there is balance between the demand and supply of trees, then consumers can continually enjoy their use. More importantly, they both benefit the environment since the carbon dioxide they emit is utilized by the growing plants and trees.

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What:

Wood pellets are biomass substance that is produced from sawdust. They are regular and small sized (between 4 and 20mm). They also contain moisture of below 10%. Moreover, they are solidified with high density. Most good quality wood pellets are generally pure and natural. They are free from any additives or chemicals.

How:

Biomass material such as straw, corn but commonly wood are milled through a piece of machinery to become very fine sawdust. In addition, the sawdust can also be a byproduct of any wood processing procedures such as sawmilling. Then, this fine sawdust is compacted under extreme pressure by feeding them in pelletising machinery. They are then shaped by forcing them through a dye.

At the same time, a natural component of this kind of biomass, lignin, dissolves and acts as a “binding agent” holding them together to form and shape as extruded pellet. This substance keeps it solidified as they dry. This natural component also makes a “glaze” kind appearance on the outside of pellets. At a temperature of 90OC, these pellets are forced through a dye. Afterwards, the lignin cools. The pellets are then solidified and set. Other chemicals or additives are not necessary. When they are cooled and ready, the pellets can be either packed for domestic use or loaded into transportation vehicle for distribution. A variety of biomass materials can be used for pellet production but mostly wastes from wood industry are utilized.

Why:

Wood pellets are now considered as an efficient alternative for traditional oils/fuels. Pellets attract both many manufacturers and consumers because of their advantages over the conventional fuels. These advantages are listed below.

• Less volume to store
Their high density and compact properties enable them to occupy lesser space.
• Easy to transport
As mentioned, wood pellets are highly densed and compressed, thus, they are easier to ship in long distance since they don not easily break or loose.
• Lower moisture content
This property enables the wood pellets used lesser energy to burn the moist off, therefore a lot of energy is saved.
• Versatile
Wood pellets as wood fuels can be utilized on most standard heating systems such as boilers and stoves. Moreover, for the past years, pellets stove, boilers and similar products are now available in the market and are used in many homes.
• Lesser emission and ash
Wood pellets are carbon neutralized form of fuel. Thus, the carbon dioxide released during combustion is compensated during the process of photosynthesis by growing plants and trees.
• Easy to handle
Again, the wood pellets consistency and solid features make them easier to handle especially throughout the manufacturing process and they can withstand numerous handlings without breaking.
• Easy to ignite
As already mentioned, the moisture content of wood pellets is at most 10%. This means that less energy is needed to burn them off.
• Contribute to the economy
With wood pellet, any nation can use its own resources. It does not have to rely much on foreign oils. Therefore, production and usage of wood pellets adds up the income of the country.

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