Bio-Mass

Eco homes 4 U  

1. Animal wastes and by-products of the food industry: These can be converted into methane, but are not covered in this fact-sheet.

2. Crops which are grown specifically for their energy content are known as biomass. In the U.K, common sources are wood and straw. Willow is becoming particularly popular as a biomass crop, and can be harvested on a regular basis. This type of biomass is covered in this fact-sheet.

Although it is possible to process biomass in a number of ways, ‘direct’ burning is still the most common, however GASIFIERS used to convert wood-chips into a chemical fuel are becoming more available. The most common forms of fuel are woodchips, wood pellets or logs. Wood pellets are good for use in auto-feed systems, but manufacturing facilities in the U.K are still somewhat limited. Wood chips are becoming more widely available as forestry-based enterprises expand. Moisture content must be carefully controlled, however, to ensure efficient and clean burning.

Burning biomass is regarded as ‘carbon neutral’, as the CO2 released in burning it is equal to the CO2 consumed as it grows. If local supplies of timber are used, there is an environmental benefit in cutting the amount of road transport used and, potentially, a contribution to local employment. Finally, if the use of wood for heating cuts down the amount which is disposed of in landfill, it is a long-term benefit to us all.

Yes. A number of models are being produced which are efficient and easy to use. You will have to ensure that you have sufficient dry storage to allow you to stockpile fuel as required.

david_wilkins@talktalk.net or octopustrading@freenetname.co.uk 

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Author David Wilkins.
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Revised: 14 Dec 2007 12:50:40 -0000 .

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