Biomass fuel encompasses a number of materials that include wood and other agricultural residues. The materials in question can be used for heating buildings and to a lesser extent, for producing power. Biomass can also, if required, produce a combination of heat and power, which only further illustrates it’s efficiency and all round usefulness. On the other hand, biomass systems require more operator information than other forms of renewable energy such as solar or wind and a small amount of maintenance plus an annual inspection and cleaning means the system can provide heating when needed. Additionally, biomass combustion produces emissions that have to be monitored to make sure they comply with government regulations. While these are only slight caveats, there is little question that biomass systems are more than fit for purpose. Because biomass systems are so popular and because there is sometimes a slight trepidation when it comes to making the switch, we thought it good to touch on the various components of a biomass fuel system. What Are The Different Parts of a Biomass System? There are a number of key components to a biomass system which includes the following – Fuel storage and handling or conveying Combustor Boiler Fire suppression systems Pumps Fans Exhaust controls System controls Automatic ash handling (optional feature) Back up boiler Heat distribution system All biomass systems require storage for fuel as well as a way of handling the fuel. Systems that use wood chips or pellets will be stored in silos or a bunker with an automated system that moves fuel from the storage area to the combustion area. PH Winterton recommends that storage areas hold a minimum of three days of fuel at all times. The day hopper is the last part of the fuel handling system and controls the rate at which the fuel is delivered to the boiler. Wood pellet or log systems the heat created by the boiler can be used to directly heat the air or used to heat water, acting as a medium by which the heat is delivered. Fire suppression systems help to prevent fire from the combustor travelling back up the conveyor system where fuel is stored. This type of system can also...
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Converting to bulk rather than bagged horse shavings bedding is one way that stables can save on expenses. It can feel like you are throwing money away with bagged bedding, as you you have to buy the bedding plus the expense of cleaning it and then disposing of it. When buying bags of bedding this can add up fast, whereas bulk buying can save on expenses. Bulk horse shavings have a smaller price tag because of the economies of scale. Since bulk materials arrive loose, either in a trailer or the back of a dump truck, there is no plastic waste. Stables focused on environmental impact can use bulk products to help cut down on non-recyclable plastic. Reliable supplier of horse shavings Find a reliable supplier (such as PH Winterton) is the key to success with bulk bedding. Once you decide to bulk buy bedding you will need a place to store it. This could be a designated shed, a corner of the arena, underneath a lean-to or in a covered trailer that is used to pick up the bedding are all common choices. Ensure you pick a spot that is out of the weather and convenient to use so that it is not a battle at chore time. PH Winterton sources a number of our horse bedding products from sawmill waste collections, which can also be used for biomass fuel. Not only are sawdust and shavings useful for the maintenance of livestock, but they can also be used to make sawdust mulch. The sawdust is mixed with compost or grass clippings to produce a mulch that is extremely effective for acid-loving plants and helps your plants prosper. Contact us with any questions If you have any questions about equine bedding, please do not hesitate to get in touch with PH Winterton now. Our horse bedding products are available to customers across the country including deliveries to Worcestershire and...
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If you have never invested in horse bedding such as shavings before, you may not know about the different types available on the market. PH Winterton is a specialist in equine bedding, with three different types of bedding to suit any requirement or budget. Understanding Horse Bedding Wood Shavings – Wood shavings have been a popular horse bedding for decades now. They are often used for horses that suffer from respiratory disease or those that eat other types of bedding. Sawmill waste shavings, such as those provided by PH Winterton, are the most popular as they are high quality and have a low dust content. Wood shavings also provide excellent support for the horse’s hooves as they compact inside them. They are typically packed in polythene wrapped bales which makes them easy to stack and store – meaning you will be able to buy in bulk if that’s your preference. Flax and hemp – Flax and hemp bedding materials are often more expensive which limits their appeal. Also, there have been instances of horses eating the bedding. The same as wood shavings they are packaged in heavy-duty plastic bags for easy storage. Paper – Paper is usually shredded and consists of a mix of newspaper, magazines and other unwanted printed matter, with differing absorbency. The long paper stripes tend to be harder to muck out as they can stick together and become difficult to separate from the droppings. While cheap, paper, when wet, can become very soggy and less user-friendly. Rubber matting – Rubber matting is often considered a partial alternative to bedding in stables. Some people will combine horse bedding with rubber matting. Rubber matting on its own can lead to wet floors, dirty rugs and horses. The majority of horses don’t like to urinate on hard surfaces, so adding bedding such as shavings help prevent this issue. Hygiene standards need to be observed when using rubber matting, as they will need to be uplifted and thoroughly cleaned underneath to prevent a build-up of ammonia and dirty bedding material. Get horse shavings in bulk from PH Winterton If you have any questions about PH Winterton’s range of horse bedding, please do not hesitate to contact us now. We...
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If you have decided to start using biomass fuel as your main heating source, you may not know that there is both wood chip and wood pellets available for the boilers. Here at PH Winterton, we specialise in wood pellets, sourced from our sawmill waste collection service. For our latest post, we will look at the differences between the two types of biomass fuel. Wood Chip Biomass Fuel Explained Wood chips are small pieces of wood that have been cut to between 5mm and 50mm and are used instead of larger twigs and dust-like particles If large twigs are included they can block the wood chip boiler feed system and if they are too small (as in dust-like particles) they can upset the combustion of the boiler. The same situation can occur from high bark content, meaning care is needed in the quality of the wood chip, which is dictated by the raw material, chipper type and sharpness of blade plus handling. In order to produce wood chip fuel, trees are coppiced and the offcuts are chipped and then dried until the chip moisture meets required standards Wood Pellet Fuel Explained Wood pellets are made up of sawdust or fine shavings of wood extruded under pressure so that the wood resin binds the material into cylindrical shapes between 6mm and 10mm in diameter and 10mm and 30mm long No artificial chemicals are added to wood pellets but starch or cornflour is sometimes used to improve stability. This results in a high-density fuel with low moisture contents, which is less bulky to transport and store Choosing between these fuel types is often made during the planning of your boiler system design. The transport and storage needed will often dictate which fuel type you decide on. What are the benefits of biomass wood fuels? Can be compacted into deliverable packets which can be easily delivered and stored at sites Less variation in moisture content and physical form Flow characteristics make them easier to deliver Are there any other considerations? Biomass boilers can be set up for both wood pellet and wood chip fuels, which allows for future flexibility in supply. In order to change fuel types, the boiler needs to be...
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We are now nearly three-quarters of the way through the year, meaning the weather will soon be changing and temperatures dropping. This makes our heating more important than ever, and one of the eco-friendly ways to heat your home is using biomass fuel boilers. PH Winterton is one of the most experienced suppliers of biomass wood pellets for customers across the country. We are proud to be part of the authorised Biomass Suppliers List, plus continuing to supply the best animal bedding. For this blog, we will explore biomass as a heating resource in greater detail. Biomass fuel – Sustainable and renewable heating source Our products are high quality, but that does not mean we need to fell forests in order to produce. PH Winterton acquires our wood pellets using our sawmill waste collection service to create this unique fuel source. We work with sawmills nationwide to repurpose their high-quality wood shavings and chips into wood pellets, meaning you receive a top-quality product but without any harm to the environment. The most compelling principle of biomass is that it is renewable plus its remarkable consistency and burn efficiency of pellet fuel produces a fraction of the particulate emissions of raw biomass. Pellet burners feature the lowest particulate matter emissions of all solid fuels burners. Biomass is virtually limitless and has proven to be price stable when compared to fossil fuels. Pellet manufacturers such as PH Winterton take by-products such as wood waste and refine them into pencil-sized pellets that are uniform in size, shape, moisture density and energy content. Because moisture levels are lower than in raw biomass, this means wood pellets can be handled easier in freezing situations. Also, the density of pellet fuel is substantially higher than raw biomass which means it can be transported and stored more widely. This can be in rail cars or delivered in truck containers. Get in touch for more information If you have any questions about biomass fuel, please do not hesitate to contact PH Winterton today. Our team of specialists will be more than happy to...
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