Fuel Options
Biomass for an energy system is generally derived from forest management residues: Logs, slash, thinned materials or manufacturing waste from furniture manufacturing and lumber mills. These raw materials are then prepared into a useable fuel such as green or dried chips, ground wood, or densified pellets and briquettes, All biomass should be processed to some extent to provide a consistent reliable fuel. As in oil, we can burn the crude, but a refined fuel oil or gasoline is a much improved fuel. Choosing the correct technology for your application and matching it to the available fuel source from your area is critical to any successful biomass heating project.
Pellets
Wood pellets are made from 100% recycled wood and biomass residue. The manufacturing process begins with screening the wood residue (raw material). It is then dried to a specific moisture level, and ground to a uniform size. Then, a finely balanced blend of sawdust is conveyed into the pellet mills where it is compressed and formed into a very dense and consistent wood pellet used in heating systems. The ending result is a highly efficient source of thermal energy for consumers.
Other Prepared Fuels Chips / ground materials
Other biomass products that are prepared to some degree provide quality fuel. Preparation includes drying, sized reduction, and removal of high fines content. The more refined the higher the fuel value, but also the higher the cost. Although the Osby boiler are designed to utilize a wide range of specification, each system should find the optimum fuel for their situation. These fuels can come directly from the forest, as residues from other wood manufacturing processes or from a fuel preparation facility