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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With the gaining popularity of wood pellets as a wood fuel, the manufacturers need to ensure that they are producing high quality wood pellets. The consumers must also at least know the essential properties of good wood pellets.Property # 1: Check the dimension. It should be small-sized wood pellet. Most wood pellets that are utilized as fuel have a diameter of about 6 – 8mm and a length of about 2cm. Furthermore, it should be uniform, regular and highly compacted. With this property, they can be easily stored and delivered. They will not take a lot of space. Also, they can be easily fed in an automated fuel handling system.

Property # 2: Know the moisture content. Remember that the lower the moisture content, the lower the need for energy to burn it off. The humidity of good quality wood pellets should be around 6-10%.

Property # 3: Ensure that they are mechanically durable. This means that high quality wood pellets can endure numerous handlings. They should withstand any kind of operation otherwise they would easily break and wear causing an increase on the number of fines in the pellets. Also, it is generally good when wood pellets can stand shipping even in long distance and time.

Property # 4: Check the amount of fines. The amount of fines would greatly influence the smoothness and easy flow of wood pellets in the boiler’s fuel feeder. The greater the amount of fines present in the wood pellets, the greater the likelihood of obstacle in the feeding system of boilers.

Moreover, minute particles burn faster compared to wood pellets. Thus, if numerous fine particles are found in the wood pellets, there is a big probability that they would generate unnecessary intense flame. The worst case scenario is it might lead to precipitation of ash that will demand cleaning the burner after cooling it off.

Currently, the manufacturers make it sure that the amount of fines should be at most 1%. It is checked time after time in the entire manufacturing process. Furthermore, to ensure that fewer fines are present in wood pellets, the producers measure it even at the last processing phase and screen it before distributing.

Property # 5: Know if additives are added. Preferably, the whole wood pellets should be natural. The chemicals or substances added would significantly influence the wood pellets’ emissions during combustion. Wood pellets are commonly produced from sawdust. Thus, a substance that must serves as a “binding agent” is necessary to hold them together and be compacted. Lignin, a natural component found in woods, serves this purpose. In any case those additives/chemicals are used, the quantity and type should be stated.

Property # 6: Check the density of wood pellets. Wood pellets should be highly densed. The degree of compactness would likely determine the possible amount of fines that can be found on the pellets. As mentioned, preferably zero to a very small percentage of fine particles must be present in wood pellets for these minute materials would affect the quality of flame produced. The looser the wood pellets are, the higher the amount of fines.

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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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Wood pellets are a form of biomass that is currently used as a carbon-neutral alternative fuel. They are basically produced from compacted sawdust, a byproduct of any wood transformational activity such as sawmilling. They are believed to be advantageous over other forms of biomass fuels and non renewable fossil fuels. They are environmental friendly. The carbon dioxide that is emitted during the utilization of wood pellets is neutralized since the trees and plants themselves absorb it during the process of photosynthesis to grow and survive. They are also efficient and easy to ignite due to their low moisture content. They would not require a massive amount of energy just to initiate and complete combustion. In fact, some tests revealed that they have a high energy content that is comparable to high quality coal.

Moreover, they are cost-effective in a way that wood pellets are mostly produced from waste materials of sawmilling and other forms of refining. Trees are not intentionally cut down to make it into logs which in turn when saw milled become dust then pellets. But, wood pellets are only byproducts and are considered as waste. Thus, instead of disposing them, the producers make use of them.

In addition, the properties of wood pellets allow them to be utilized in automated handling system. Also, this usage of wood pellets resulted to modification and production of wood pellets – compatible – heating systems. Thus, it would not be a problem in searching for products that are suitable for wood pellets since they are now distributed in many markets across the globe. As a matter of fact, these appliances particularly the pellet stoves have controls so that the quantity of fuel and air being furnished to the combustion chamber are regulated. They are generally safe to use in homes. And they do not require constant monitoring unlike the traditional wood stoves.

The cost and availability of wood pellets depend so much on the area. There are a variety of factors that can influence the production of wood pellets such as the climate, availability of woods, demand from domestic consumers and many more. Countries like North America, Austria, Denmark and Sweden are currently manufacturing and utilizing wood pellets as an alternative fuel. They keep on developing and improving the goods in order to commercialize the product.

Other countries are also starting to be interested in this form of biomass fuel. Wood pellets became a good competition for fossil fuels and other type of biomass wood fuels such as wood chips, wood, etc. They are readily available and quite plentiful in several countries making them more advantageous to other non renewable heat generating goods. Many states in North America have been starting to use wood pellets. Surprisingly, the demand for them is rising due to the fact that natural gas price is also constantly increasing these past winter seasons.

A very long time ago, wood or coal were just the available heat generating goods for many homes but when wood pellets entered, they became a hit. Undeniably, the attraction for wood pellet as wood fuel is very strong.

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Lately, we have been hearing a lot about an efficient alternative biomass fuel. Wood pellets are by-products of sawmilling that are compacted and manufactured to become wood fuel. These solidified, low moisture and uniform goods are proven to be a competitive burnable material. Recently, lots of homes have been using wood pellets for their heating systems. With the increased demand of wood pellets among consumers, it cannot be avoided that some wood pellets distributed are not good enough in terms of their quality. Consumers need to be aware of the essential properties of high quality wood pellets. Some home-based tests can now be done without the need for complicated laboratory gadgets. They are simple and easy to do.

Test 1: Using the sense of smell

With just the use of the nose, you can check if the wood pellets are purely wood pellets and not mixed.
• Grab a handful of wood pellet.
• Place them in a plastic container.
• Position the container close to your face.
• Smell the odor the wood pellets.
Note: Expect that it should smell like fresh cut softwood. If not, then it might be mixed.

Test 2: Using the sense of sight

By simply using the eyes, you can determine what is good and what is not.
• Grab a small quantity of wood pellets.
• Look at these wood pellets closely and carefully.
Note: You must observe light brown colored wood pellets if they are made from clean compacted sawdust. However, if they are dark, then it might indicate that they were derived from bark which emits more ashes. Furthermore, some pellets are darker on the outside but once broken, they are still colored light brown,this would not be a problem.

Test 3: Using both the sense of smell and a fire.

• Choose one longer pellet.

• Ignite the tip of the pellet.

• Smell the smoke produced.
Note: A good quality of wood pellets should smell like a burning wood. Otherwise, the quality is questionable.

Test 4: Using a glass of water

• Get a small amount of wood pellets.
• Place them into glassful water.
Note: Just a few minutes, they should be dissolved into sawdust. Otherwise, a chemical might have been added to bind them together.
• Then, observe the settlement of particles inside the glass after swirling it.
Note: Heavy particles will lie down at the bottom. If there are numerous particles that settled, another feedstock might have been mixed. This would likely result to increased amount of emissions and risk for precipitation.

These are some of the simple ways to check the quality of wood pellets being used. Most are just common sense, thus, these tests can be easily performed anytime at home. In this way, problems can be avoided. Likewise, good quality wood pellets provide lots of benefits. Consumers should watch out for those wood pellets that are sold cheaply in the market. A more costly wood pellets may be a pain the pocket, but you can ensure that what you are buying is cleaner, safer and more efficient.

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Wood pellets as biomass fuel is constantly gaining interests from different nations such as North America and several countries in Europe. Their production and distribution continues to grow and expand. With their popularity, there are also various issues concerning their utilization.

Issue # 1: Environmental – Friendly?
Wood pellets are said to be a type of fuel that is a carbon neutralizer. The carbon dioxide that is released during the combustion is taken by the growing trees and plants during the essential process of photosynthesis. Therefore, they do not worsen global warming. They are said to emit lesser hazardous gases and ashes which could bring harm to the environment. Moreover, by utilization of wood pellets, which are basically wastes, they would not create another problem on waste management.

However, an issue concerning deforestation which is not at all environmental friendly arises. The fact is wood pellets come from logs/woods which are cut down trees. With increasing demand for wood pellets, there might be an increasing need to cut down trees which could include those that are domicile to many animals and plants.

Issue # 2: Sustainable?
Wood pellets are derived from woods/logs that are basically renewable, therefore wood pellet fuels can be considered as a sustainable source of energy. As long as the balance between the supply and demand for trees exists and maintained, then it would not give rise to a major problem like scarcity. However, an issue about their sustainability is still being questioned. Is it really possible to maintain such balance? Deforestation has been reported in few areas. When trees are cut down without replacing them, eventually scarcity would be the consequence.

Issue # 3: Cost – effective?
It is still a question whether using wood pellet fuels is cheaper than utilizing the conventional ones. Though any nation can lessen its reliance to foreign oils/fuels by using its own resources, it does not change the fact that pellet use is a new innovation that require some complicated and different equipment/machineries that could be more expensive. In fact some models of wood pellet heating systems are quite expensive too.

Issue # 4: Convenient?
Another important issue is that: Is it really convenient and simple to use? Yes, they maybe convenient to store, deliver or transfer because of their solid distinct properties. However, the fact still remains that these are alternatives and non conventional. They are operated quite differently from the usual traditional fuel heating systems. In reality, pellet stoves have unique controls that might be unfamiliar for most of the home users. Also, once you are used to traditional heating systems, it would be a great adjustment for you once you shift to pellet heating appliances as they contain some complex components that might bring confusion to the consumers.

Issue # 5: Versatile?
It has been claimed that some conventional models of heating systems can actually allow the use of wood pellets, it is still recommended to utilize wood pellets in heating systems specifically designed for pellets.

Issue # 6: Natural?
Though wood pellets use their own natural component, lignin, to bind them together, there are still cases that a substance other than this natural component is added.

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