Biomass Pellet-Fired Boilers

Abstract

Wood fire has been used as a heat source for thousands of years. Nonetheless, the methods for burning wood have progressed to very automatic and controlled combustion systems. The pressure to develop systems that minimize air pollution and maximize heating efficiency has led to imaginative and innovative new designs. Provided that firewood is grown in a sustainable manner and used in efficient combustion systems with insignificant hydrocarbon emissions, firewood is a renewable energy source. Already today, it is a significant heating source in most of the world. Due to its potential of being CO2 neutral, an increased use of small-scale combustion can have a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The fuels in use are mainly wood logs, but the use of densified biomass in the form of pellets or briquettes is playing an important role, especially in the residential and public sectors. In this regard, it has to be noted that the use of traditional batch-fired systems burning firewood has been augmented because of the introduction of systems designed to burn pelletized wood wastes, agricultural grains or woodchips. Due to the fact that intelligent design and sophisticated technology have resulted in several types of biomass heating systems, the aim of this chapter is to provide the reader with an overview of the domestic pellet boilers.