Jun 21 2007
Posted by admin under Wood Pellets
Wood Pellets: From Trash to Cash
Through the years, many countries commit themselves to discover new sources of energy other than those generated from non renewable resources. They continue to seek a different form of biomass fuel to obtain a sustainable energy that is at the same time effective.
It is a fact that wood is an alternative source of energy. When it undergoes into any transformational processing activity such as sawmilling, it could produce sawdust that are considered to be waste products that need to be discarded. However, because of constant innovation, these sawdust when compressed can become into a highly densed, solidified material termed as wood pellets. Instead of disposing these materials, these are now proven to be an effective alternative wood fuel.
Basically, wood pellets have a size that range between 4 and 20mm. Pellets also have at most 10% moisture content. Their shape has the properties of uniformity and regularity. They are highly compacted materials. No chemicals are added to bind them together. Pellets naturally have lignin, a substance that serves as a binding agent.
Wood pellets, nowadays, are starting to boom in several countries all over the world. They offer many benefits that make them more favorable to use than any other type of fuel. The most important advantage of using wood pellets is they generate lesser harmful gas. Unlike other fuels such as oil, they are cleaner and are not detrimental to the environment. They do not hasten global warming. The use of wood pellets would offset the carbon dioxide released by the growing trees and plants that would used it for the photosynthesis process. With this environmental friendly feature, they are way better than using traditional oils which emit tremendous and toxic gases.
Moreover, with their consistent small size and uniform shape, they can easily flow like a fluid, thus making them possible to be fed in automated machinery. They also ignite quickly since it would only take a small amount of energy to burn the moist off. Consequently, with less energy being consumed, they can generate high energy output. Due to their high density, they do not occupy more volume/space, therefore, they are more convenient to handle, store and transport. In addition, it can be at least assured that unlike traditional oils/fuels, they would not be used up as long the growing of plants and trees will never cease. All these and the fact that they are clean and efficient make them especially suitable for domestic use.
Without a doubt, the demand for wood pellets is expected to increase. Due to their nonstop gain of popularity among the consumers, probably time will come that most heating systems will be utilizing wood pellets. With their strong appeal especially for those pro-environment groups, this type of fuel undeniably attracts many nations.
It is such an amazing wonder that once; wood pellets were considered a trash which has no use at all. But with the strong will of several countries to cut down their overdependence to foreign fossil fuel, they make cash out of these wood pellets. It would only be a matter of time, when wood pellets production and utilization will boom and hit the world.