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About pellet fuel advantages
Why use pellet fuel instead of raw materials?
Pellet fuel is made from by-products such as wood waste. Such
by-products are refined into uniform, small-sized pellets. These pellets
are unvarying in their characteristics; all share the same shape, size,
energy content, density and moisture. The low moisture content of pellet
fuel is very important and is one of the characteristics that gives
pellet fuel an advantage over raw materials. Pellet fuels are about 4%
to 8% water, while raw biomaterials tend to be from 20% to 60% water.
This lower moisture of pellet fuel results in a higher value BTU. The
lower moisture content of pellet fuels also makes pellet fuel more
convenient to manage and transport than raw biomaterials, especially in
freezing temperatures.
The significantly higher density of pellet fuel also provides an
advantage over raw biomass fuels. Pellet fuel density is about 40 pounds
per cubic foot. Compare this with the density of raw material fuels,
which ranges from only 10 to 25 pounds per cubic foot. This higher
density means more efficient transport of pellet fuels, as the same
truck filled with pellet fuel will provide more energy than the same
truck filled with raw biomass fuel. The higher density of pellet fuels
also makes it more convenient for storage at the usage site.
The uniform size and shape of pellet fuels is a third advantage that
pellet fuels have over raw biomass fuels. Feed systems for pellet fuels
are smaller and simpler as they do not have to account for varying sizes
and shapes of fuels such as wood. The simpler fuel feeding systems used
with pellet fuels reduces costs and lightens maintenance duties.
Transport and storage of pellet fuels is also more convenient due to the
consistent shape of pellets and the high-density composition of pellets.
The non-explosive, non-polluting nature of pellet fuels further increase
their convenience.
Not only is pellet fuel easier to transport and store, it is also less
polluting than raw fuels when burned. Pellet fuels emit only a fraction
of the particles that raw biomass emits when burned. Pellets are uniform
and burn efficiently. Thus, systems burning pellet fuel produce the
lowest particulate emissions of any system burning solid fuel.
Fossil fuel supplies are declining at an alarming rate. Even if our
supply of fossil fuel was unlimited, the pollution caused by burning
fossil fuels would still make them a less than ideal energy source.
Sulfur, carbon monoxide, arsenic, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases are some of the many pollutants that despoil our world’s air and
water when fossil fuels are used for energy.
Add to this the financial and environmental costs of transporting fossil
fuels, and it’s easy to see why our continually growing energy needs
cannot be met by fossil fuels in a sustainable manner.
In contrast, pellet fuel systems burn at an average of 80% efficiency
while keeping emission so low, they consistently meet even the most
rigorous standards established by the EPA. Very little ash is left once
pellets are burned; what ash does remain can be accumulated over time
and then utilized as a fertilizer. Storing and transporting pellet fuel
is easy and safe. No soil or water contamination risks are posed by the
transport and possible spill of pellet fuels.
How comforting to know that a pellet fuel spill can be cleaned up with a
shovel, rather than a whole crew of hazardous waste experts! The
benefits of using pellet fuels are obvious and plentiful. The choice is
clear for anyone looking for an efficient, economical and environmental
energy alternative.
Resources:
pellet stoves guide |
pellet stoves sites |
pellet stoves recommend
pellet stoves sources |
