Biomass Boilers Explained
Biomass Boilers are an alternative energy solution that have been growing steadily in popularity over the past several decades. These systems are uniquely popular among individuals with a propensity towards sustainable and ecologically friendly living. In addition to the assumed environmental benefits these systems often provide long term savings on heating and electricity costs. Their use of readily available waste products as fuel is also a benefit for individuals living and working in rural communities or hard to reach areas.
On the market today there is a range of different Biomass Boiler model which can range between the prices of $1,000 for the simplest manually operated boilers to $100,000 for the more complex industrial models. These products use anything from animal waste to sawdust to create sufficient heat output and electricity. There are four different systems of Biomass boilers. The most expensive fully automated models require minimal maintenance with the occasional loading of the holding tank.. Semi-automated, or surge bin systems, have smaller holding tanks and require additional attention from the operator to ensure accurate levels of fuel. Pellet-fired boilers use a very specific type of fuel and thus tend to be more expensive to operate. The uniform fuel quality used by these models does produce a more consistent operational result. The final of the four main system types are the combined heat and power models. These systems tend to be very expensive due to the high pressure environments necessary to create optimal conditions. These use natural resources such as fuel and wood chips but will also require the fitting of a cooling tower as energy and heat is produced at all times and the cooling tower is installed to regulate this..
Biomass Boilers have been touted by environmentalists for being one of the few viable alternative to fossil fuel consumption. Many of the systems can use natural resources such as urban waste and forest to produce electricity and heat.. They also allow users to distance themselves from reliance on oil or gas companies. Biomass Boilers there fore present an excellent alternative for those who are interested in the environment and reducing their carbon footprint. Some commercial boiler producers even promise customers the ability to sell back carbon credits acquired through the use of their products.
Not all individuals are as enthusiastic about the environmental benefits of these systems though. The combustion of biomass fuels does release a significant amount of pollution into the air including carbon monoxide and a variety of volatile organic compounds. While in general the levels of harmful pollutants is far less than traditional fossil fuel combustion, in some cases specific compounds are released at a significantly higher level than coal or natural gas. For example Black Carbon which is released during the incomplete combustion of both biomass fuels and traditional fossil fuels is theorized to be the second largest contributor to global warming.
Setting aside the environmental questions Biomass Boilers still offer many a safe, efficient, and potentially economical solution to their heating or energy needs.
On the market today there is a range of different Biomass Boiler model which can range between the prices of $1,000 for the simplest manually operated boilers to $100,000 for the more complex industrial models. These products use anything from animal waste to sawdust to create sufficient heat output and electricity. There are four different systems of Biomass boilers. The most expensive fully automated models require minimal maintenance with the occasional loading of the holding tank.. Semi-automated, or surge bin systems, have smaller holding tanks and require additional attention from the operator to ensure accurate levels of fuel. Pellet-fired boilers use a very specific type of fuel and thus tend to be more expensive to operate. The uniform fuel quality used by these models does produce a more consistent operational result. The final of the four main system types are the combined heat and power models. These systems tend to be very expensive due to the high pressure environments necessary to create optimal conditions. These use natural resources such as fuel and wood chips but will also require the fitting of a cooling tower as energy and heat is produced at all times and the cooling tower is installed to regulate this..
Biomass Boilers have been touted by environmentalists for being one of the few viable alternative to fossil fuel consumption. Many of the systems can use natural resources such as urban waste and forest to produce electricity and heat.. They also allow users to distance themselves from reliance on oil or gas companies. Biomass Boilers there fore present an excellent alternative for those who are interested in the environment and reducing their carbon footprint. Some commercial boiler producers even promise customers the ability to sell back carbon credits acquired through the use of their products.
Not all individuals are as enthusiastic about the environmental benefits of these systems though. The combustion of biomass fuels does release a significant amount of pollution into the air including carbon monoxide and a variety of volatile organic compounds. While in general the levels of harmful pollutants is far less than traditional fossil fuel combustion, in some cases specific compounds are released at a significantly higher level than coal or natural gas. For example Black Carbon which is released during the incomplete combustion of both biomass fuels and traditional fossil fuels is theorized to be the second largest contributor to global warming.
Setting aside the environmental questions Biomass Boilers still offer many a safe, efficient, and potentially economical solution to their heating or energy needs.
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