neWs

Top European Standards Approval for Nature's Flame Wood Pellet Fuel (June 2010)

Nature's Flame fuel has been endorsed by DIN CERTO, Europe's leading product quality standards body for residential wood pellet fuel. Fore more details see here.

technical guides

BANZ Technical Guide 01 - Wood Fuel Classification Guidelines

The sale and purchase of wood fuels has highlighted the need for the seller and the purchaser of wood fuel to be confident with respect to the description and quality of the wood fuel sought or supplied. These guidelines for classification of wood fuel have been prepared to provide a common methodology for classifying, specifying and declaring the quality and properties of the traded wood fuel in New Zealand.

The additional benefits of the classification of wood fuel include:

  • increase in use of wood energy
  • improving consumer confidence in wood fuel
  • educate and provide confidence to Regional Councils in wood fuels
  • provide fuel quality assurance to heat plant manufacturers and wood fuel users
  • promote wood energy as a sustainable energy source
  • ensure environmental damage through inappropriate use is controlled.

The Classification Guidelines have been produced as a voluntary industry standard and have been prepared to meet specific New Zealand requirements. The parameters set out are based on formal international standards but have been simplified so as to meet New Zealand needs.

The Guidelines have been prepared on the basis of having a working document that the wood energy industry can use to develop a trade in wood fuel. The Guidelines are intended to be flexible and allow a framework for defining the different kinds of wood fuels. As experience with the Guidelines is obtained they will be adjusted from time to time to best meet market needs. Once established, it is anticipated that the Classification Guidelines will be used as a base for adoption as a formal Technical Standard

Version 5 of the Classification Guidelines is available here. If you are interested in this project contact the BANZ Executive Officer.

The Guidelines currently refer to Testing Standards. It is important that wood fuel users are able to access facilities or laboratories that have been approved to undertake an agreed and standard set of tests to ensure quality. This study reviews existing wood fuel testing standards and makes recommendations as to which testing standards should be adopted within the wood fuel industry to support the Wood Fuel Classifications Guidelines.

The Review of Testing Standards Report can be downloaded here.

BANZ Technical Guide 02 - Guidelines for the Conversion of Solid Fuel Boilers from Coal to Wood Pellet Firing

The following Guide has been developed to provide guidance on the conversion of existing coal fired boilers to wood pellet operation. As with all BANZ Technical Guides, this document is issued as a 'version'. As new information comes to light and BANZ received comments from experts, where appropriate, a new version is issued. if you have any comments on the current version, please contact Connie Crookshanks.

With every conversion, it's essential that what is learnt from early conversions is passed on to those undertaking later conversions. Of paramount importance in any conversion is the need, not simply to maintain the safety and integrity of the boiler and its control systems but to improve the level of safety to the level of "Best Practice”.  The second mater of importance is that the boiler’s combustion efficiency after conversion should be at least as good as before, and for preference better.

Although (mostly) written around sectional boilers with underfeed stokers this Guide can, with care, be used as the basis of conversion for most boiler and stoker types.  The essential operational and safety issues are similar.  Likewise, although this Guide has been formulated on the basis of experience with wood pellet firing, with care, it can be used in conjunction with firing wood chip.

Guidelines for the Conversion of Solid Fuel Boilers from Coal to Wood Pellet Firing, May 2010

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BANZ Technical Guide 03 - Guidance Document for Wood Pellet Boiler Operators

After the installation of a new boiler or the conversion from an existing boiler to run on wood pellets, the operator should be provided with training on the new installation and should be provided with a suitable written manual for operation and basic maintenance. A practical training course is recommended for the operator (see BANZ Wood Pellet Operating Training)

Key issues that operator training should cover include:

  • Boiler Conversion and Basic Operation Principles - General overview of what owners and operators need to understand are the different characteristics between using coal or wood pellet fuels.
  • Boiler Output Optimisation - optimising the performance of a boiler reduces running costs and improves site operations. The operator must understand how the wood pellet boiler has been tuned (typically this is by the experts undertaking the conversion and MUST be carried out using appropriate flue gas analysis equipment) to maximise efficiency and heat delivery, particularly with respect to different control settings, fuel feed speed, and air supply.
  • Combustion Characteristics of Wood Pellets - Burning pellets is somewhat different to burning coal and the following issues should be considered:
      • volatiles and their release from pellet burning relative to coal
      • Auger delivery speed
      • How to regulate air flows
      • Fire beds - what they should look like
  • Routine Monitoring to ensure Efficient Operation - the Operator must be aware of the technical issues to observe routinely to monitor performance
  • Basic Boiler Maintenance - Basic boiler maintenance is essential for safe and efficient burning. Key information that operators should be aware of include:
      • fuel flows
      • Annual maintenance
      • Routine efficiency checks

Guidance Document for Wood Pellet Boiler Operators (Version 1) March 2010

reports

"New Zealand Wood Pellets - making the most of National and International Opportunities", report by BANZ, 20 July 2010.

This profile of the New Zealand Wood Pellets sector summarises the economic and energy supply opportunities from expanding the national and international wood pellet markets. It has been written for the industry by the industry to give a context of the New Zealand market for anyone planning participation. It is sponsored by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).

This report is available to Members Only - click here to go to Members Only login page.

presentations

"Wood Pellets in New Zealand - an ideal replacement for coal", presentation by the BANZ Executive Officer to Energy Management Association of NZ (EMANZ) members, 21 May 2010. Click here to download

 

ARTICLES

New Zealand Wood Pellet Articles / Reports of Interest

Some articles of interest relating to wood pellets are listed below. Please check back regularly for updated items.

 

International Wood Pellets Articles / Reports of Interest

Some International articles of interest relating to wood pellets are listed below. Please check back regularly for updated items.

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