technical guides

BANZ Technical Guide - 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 - Version 1, March 2010

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BANZ Technical Guide - 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

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INFORMATION

coming soon

 

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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