Sponsored by: September 2010 1 Manufacturing Wood Fuel Prepared by Louise Simmonds TV Energy.

Sponsored by:September 20101

Manufacturing Wood FuelPrepared by Louise Simmonds

TV Energy


Introduction

• Different wood fuel products

• Waste wood and virgin timber

• Source materials

• Seasoning

• Conversion

• Quality


Wood Fuel Types

• Logs Used in open fires, stoves and batch boilersSold in various volumes/weights from as single sack to bulk

delivery

• PelletsFor small to medium stoves and boilersSold by sack or the loose tonnePellets can be blown into pellet stores

• Wood ChipSuitable for medium to large boilers >50kWSold in bulk by volume, weight and sometimes p/kWh


Waste regulations & wood

Environment Agency position statementhttp://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Research/PS_005_Regulat_of_wood_v3.0.pdf

Virgin timber is timber from:• whole trees and the woody parts of trees including branches and bark derived

from forestry works, woodland management, tree surgery and other similar operations (it does not include clippings or trimmings that consist primarily of foliage);

• virgin wood processing (e.g. wood offcuts, shavings or sawdust from sawmills) or timber product manufacture dealing in virgin timber.

Virgin timbers are not waste and are not subject to waste regulatory controls provided they are certain to be used for purposes to which virgin wood is commonly put. These include use as fuel in an appliance

But if virgin timber is mixed with waste timberor any other waste, the mixed load is classedas waste.


Source materials

Forestry

• Material easily available• Straight lengths• Existing market and infrastructure• Softwood readily available


Source material

Slab wood

• Low moisture content• Sharding can be a problem• Higher bark content


Source material

Tree Surgery

• Free Material?• Irregular sizing• Storage


Conversion to Logs

Logs for Batch boilers

• Uniform size• Straightness• Storage• Moisture content


Conversion to Pellet

• Storage

• Debarking

• Chipping/shredding

• Tumble drying

• Pelletising


Conversion to Wood Chip

• SeasoningStore for a minimum of 1 yearSunny open aspectStack on bearersCover top of stack if required


Conversion to Wood Chip

• ChippingUse correct chipperEnsure blades are sharpConsider using a screen Avoid contamination


Chip Storage

• Weather proof

• Clean and contamination free

• Sides suitable for loading shovels

• Ventilation


Logistics and Economics

• Existing machinery available

• Capital costs of new machinery

• Use of sub contractors

• Storage of round wood

• Storage of chip

• Contract between supplier and purchaser


Quality and cooperation

• Agree fuel requirements for heating season in advance

• Specify fuel to suit the boiler, do not over specify moisture content

• Avoid contamination at every step

• Check quality of Wood Chip and implement improvements as required

• Producer and Customer should work together

http://www.tvenergy.org/

Sponsored by: September 2010 1 Manufacturing Wood Fuel Prepared by Louise Simmonds TV Energy.

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