WOOD FUEL is
the most widespread renewable energy source for heating in the
UK. When wood is burned it produces the same amount of carbon
dioxide that it absorbed whilst growing - which would have
been released anyway if the tree died and rotted. In the UK nearly
all wood fuel comes either from commercially managed forestry
(where each tree used is replaced) or as a by-product from
another activity. As long as wood fuel comes from these
sustainable sources (where replanting matches harvesting) it
will not cause a net increase of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere, so will not contribute to the problems of climate
change.
Wood produces smaller quantities of acid
rain chemicals than any fossil fuel and, as long as it is
burned efficiently, will produce negligible quantities of
soot, hydrocarbons or other forms of pollutant.
Domestic wood-fired systems come in many
forms and can use various types of fuel. You will need to have
an undercover space, such as an outhouse, to store and perhaps
dry the wood fuel.
A Wood Stove will usually heat one
room, but may also have a back boiler to heat water and
perhaps supply radiators. They usually burn logs, and require
some work to load, light and feed. To burn logs cleanly and
efficiently, follow three rules:
Make sure the logs are well seasoned
(usually split the logs and dry for 2 years or more)
Burn efficiently - start hot and fast,
and only damp down when left with charcoal and ash
Don't fill up a non-automatic log burner
to try and keep it going overnight without attention
There are also modern, efficient central
heating Wood Boilers available. Automatically fed
boilers require less looking after, but are more expensive.
Wood Pellet Stoves and boilers are
increasingly common. The pellets are made from wood industry
waste, and are drier than logs so have a greater energy
content - but they are expensive. As the fuel is a standard
size, the burners are automated and burn cleanly and
efficiently.
Wood chip boilers are available for
large heating requirements, such as a farmhouse with some
outbuildings or a small 'district heating' scheme (We have one
at CAT). They are highly automated and burn efficiently,
keeping pollutant levels low even in built up areas.
Installation costs are higher than other systems, but the fuel
is very cheap as it often comes from sources such as forestry
waste.
A domestic wood stove will cost between £500
and £1,000 depending on size. Automated boilers are more
expensive, probably a few thousand pounds. 'Clear Skies'
grants (see below) are available towards the costs of
wood-fired heating systems. Wood fuel itself is usually
cheaper than most fossil fuels, although pellets are expensive
at present.
Book Description
Biomass for Renewable Energy, Fuels, and Chemicals serves as a
comprehensive introduction to the subject for the student and
educator, and is useful for researchers who are interested in
the technical details of biomass energy production. The
coverage and discussion are multidisciplinary, reflecting the
many scientific and engineering disciplines involved. The book
will appeal to a broad range of energy professionals and
specialists, farmers and foresters who are searching for
methods of selecting, growing, and converting energy crops,
entrepreneurs who are commercializing biomass energy projects,
and those involved in designing solid and liquid waste
disposal-energy recovery systems.
Synopsis
An introduction to the technical details of biomass energy
production, the coverage and discussion in the text is
multidisciplinary reflecting the many scientific and
engineering disciplines involved. It presents a graduated
treatment from basic principles to the details of specific
technologies and includes a critical analysis of many biomass
energy research and commercialization activities. Also
reviewed are failed projects, as well as successes, and
methods for overcoming barriers to commercialisation.
