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The logistics for handling the biomass resources and transports from source to production facilities and to the final users has been developed and several alternative systems are in use. The market with actors for refined biomass:
The wood pellets and briquettes are today used in large- and medium sized heating plants as well as in smaller boilers. In the large plants it is common that the pellets is milled to powder before combustion, in most cases as a replacement for coal. The use of pellets and briquettes in large plants is at a stable level. Usually it is coal users that has converted to refined biomass; the combustion technology is similar. New large plants are more often fuelled with non-refined biomass as forest residues and wood waste, depending on the lower price. The large plants can also be equipped with flue gas condensing system that increases the efficiency radically for combustion with fuels with high moisture content.
A refined fuel as pellets has also big advantages in small installations. It is in this area that the future market development is expected to take place. Pellet burners are available for single-family houses and up to 1 MW size. The existing oil burners are replaced with a pellet burner. If the boiler is to be replaced there are special pellet boilers on the market. The market for small-scale users is growing. Pellet stoves can be installed, in houses with electric radiators, to decrease the use of electricity for heating purposes substantially. Approximately 70% can be replaced with the pellet stove. The solution works better if the house has a open plan and if the stove is located in the centre of the house.
It is important to define a quality concept for pellet. The reason is to increase the confidence in the market – the customer need to know what he/she buys. Dimensions, moisture content, density, ash content, energy value, thermal value and the fine particles are some aspects that can be considered in deciding the quality of pellets. In Sweden there exists a specific classification of Fuel Pellets, by which the Swedish board of certification, SP has set out special certifications rules (SPCR) for properties and test methods of pellets.
|
Property |
Test Method |
Unit |
Group 1 |
Group 2 |
Group 3 |
|
Dimensions: diameter and length in producer's store |
By measuring at least 10 randomly sel ected fuel pellets |
mm |
To be stated as max 4 times 0 |
To be stated as max 5 times 0 |
To be stated as max 5 times 0 |
|
Bulk density |
SS 18 71 78 |
kg/m3 |
> 600 |
> 500 |
> 500 |
|
Durability in producer's store |
SS 18 71 80 |
weight of fines <3mm, % |
< 0.8 |
< 1.5 |
> 1.5 |
|
Net calorific value (as delivered) |
SS-ISO 1928 |
MJ/kg |
> 16.9 |
> 16.9 |
> 15.1 |
|
|
|
kWh/hg |
> 4.7 |
> 4.7 |
> 4.2 |
|
Ash content |
SS 18 71 71 |
% w/w of DM |
< 0.7 |
< 1.5 |
> 1.5 |
|
Total moisture content (as delivered) |
SS 18 71 70 |
% w/w |
< 10 |
< 10 |
< 12 |
|
Total sulphur content |
SS 18 71 77 |
% w/w of DM |
< 0.08 |
< 0.08 |
to be stated |
|
Content of additives |
|
% w/w of DM |
Content and type to be stated |
||
|
Chlorides |
SS 18 71 85 |
% w/w of DM |
< 0.03 |
< 0.03 |
To be stated |
|
Ash dissolution |
SS 18 71 65?? ISO 540? |
0C |
Initial temp. (IT) to be stated |
SP carries surveillance inspection in form of visits to the supplier, out at least once a year. This surveillance includes a judgement whether the suppliers described quality is functioning as intended, and it also includes taking samples of certified pellets-products.
A further method for increasing quality and market confidence is the certification of pellet stoves and burners. Several methods and certification systems are existing in Europe. The Swedish method is called P-marking or labelling. This includes careful testing and a verification that shows that the product fulfils the requirements in terms of standards, regulations, technical safety, efficiency and reliability.
An organisation can be granted permission to use the P-label when certified by the Swedish National Testing and Research Institute. Such certification involves verification that the product fulfils applicable requirements in respect of standards, codes of practice for the sector concerned, regulations etc., and that there is verified and approved continuous inspection and quality control of the product. These certification rules describe the conditions for certification, technical requirements and requirements for continuous inspection and quality control of pellet burners, boilers and stoves.
The technical requirements include characteristics to guarantee minimum levels of safety, efficiency and reliability as well as maximum emission levels. Continuous quality control is performed mainly by the supplier, and consists of various elements, including final inspection of completed products. SP performe surveillance inspections with the purpose of ensuring that the supplier's inspection and quality control procedures are operating properly. During these inspections, samples of completed products can be taken for subsequent performance testing.
