Biomass Heating System: Everything You Should Know

Since the use of forest biomass stems from renewable sources and, consequently, fosters our environment conservation efforts, you risk hearing a lot more about this heating fuel. The cost of biomass is still relatively low and stable, making it an interesting local resource on many levels, including a worthwhile space heating or primary heating fuel option.

What Is a Simple Definition of Biomass?

Source: Canva

As the second leading renewable source of energy in Canada, biomass is simply a non-fossilized organic material, such as hay, wood residue, grass, household waste, and manure. In a nutshell, biomass is made from plant-based materials and organic waste, which is turned into biofuel. 

Whether transformed or not, the following can serve as fuel in different forms of bioenergy:

1. Liquid: Bioethanol, ethanol, biodiesel, etc.

2. Solid: Chips, pellets, agricultural crops, etc.

3. Gas: Biomethane

Since forestry and wood processing industries are very common in most Canadian provinces, the easiest biomass to find and use for household purposes is still wood waste, meaning compressed logs, chips, and pellets.

The Green Advantages of Biomass Fuel (Pellets, Liquid, and More)

The term renewable source is practically synonymous with green resource. Biomass fuel for household use is derived from forestry industry residues—materials with no commercial value that would otherwise negatively impact soil if left in nature or sent to landfills. Repurposing these materials instead of discarding them is the preferred solution.

The second important factor to take into account is that biomass combustion is considered carbon neutral. The latter signifies that its use maintains environmental balance: the burned resource releases the same amount of CO2 as it absorbs during its lifetime.

In addition to generating extra income for wood processors, it’s worth recognizing the environmental benefits that come with local purchases, reducing the need for material transportation. In Quebec alone, there are more than 10 manufacturers of biomass-derived pellets, and is done without the use of chemical binding agents. Moreover, if you’re running out of fuel, you can just head to your local hardware store to stock up! That way, you can save on storage space and research time to find a firewood supplier.

Used in a high-efficiency device, it emits 12 times fewer fine particles in the air. As such, biomass reduces smog and urban pollutants, unlike fuel oil or slow-burn firewood ovens. 

Lastly, if you have a garden, you can use the clean ashes from wood pellets to enrich your soil or create compost.

Biomass Heating Systems - Examples & Types

Source: Canva

The choice of device is directly linked to your needs, such as the square footage to heat, your budget, your desired look, and so on. There are several models (stove, boiler, furnace, fireplace), and each uses different forms of biomass. If you opt for a central heating-appropriate model instead of a space heater, singling out a given room, note that systems (furnace and boiler) have greatly improved, displaying mechanized power supplies. 

Tips:

• If your home exceeds 1,500 square feet, opting for a big biomass boiler hooked up to a water heater and central radiators is preferred to generate a constant and even source of heat.

• Hire a professional to install and maintain your biomass heating unit to ensure a lifespan and yield that’s up to standard and expectations.

• Long-term, it’s more profitable to invest in device quality from the get-go. That way, you have the option of using a lesser quality fuel to save monthly and offset upfront expenses.

How Do Biomass Boilers Work?

The system’s mechanics typically include the following parts:

• Biomass silo

• Fuel conveyor

• Burner and boiler

• Control system

• Chimney and flue gas treatment system

• Ash-conveyor

• Hydraulic aggregate

The following details a moving grate stoker-type biomass boiler and doesn’t necessarily reflect the functioning of all brands of devices.

The fuel tank in which biomass is poured is called the silo. The larger the silo bag, the less frequently it needs to be refilled. On the other hand, the size of the silo bag partly drives its price point.

The following are examples of silos retailed:

1. Pellet silos have a cone-shaped base, supplying the device using gravity.

2. Rotary silo dischargers feature a mixing disc that transfers fuel where need be.

3. Models with steel rakes are designed for big silos.

4. Hydraulic scraper stations have greater conveying and unloading power.

The fuel is channelled from the silo to the burner, courtesy of a conveyor. A sensor monitors the burner screw temperature, ensuring it doesn’t exceed a specific degree to avoid fire backflow toward the silo. Such a safety measure works together with sprinklers and extinguishers that are strategically positioned in the conveyor system alongside hydraulic doors. 

The heart of a biomass heating system is composed of a burner and a boiler, which is where the direct combustion process occurs, keeping your home warm. A flame is ignited in the combustion chamber, which is surrounded by water and found in the boiler.

As a result, warm gas flows throughout the tubing, transferring the heat created to the water, and the smoke is sent toward the chimney. Now that the water is heated, courtesy of the boiler, it is then pumped into the heating system’s network—underfloor heating, radiators, heaters, etc.

The system’s moving grate ensures the ashes are stirred and evacuated to prevent a buildup in the burner. An automated ash-removal system can also be installed in the chimney. As for the flue gas cleaner, it ensures no odour or toxic smoke is released.

FAQ

What are 5 examples of biomass?

As mentioned above, wood, garden waste, and manure (animal waste) are examples of biomass, alongside the following:

• Food crops

• Oily crops

• Hemp

• Municipal solid waste

• Landfill gas

Is biomass a renewable source of energy?

Yes, as mentioned, biomass is considered a renewable source of energy, as long as it's sourced and managed sustainably.