Wood Fuel. (Bio-mass)
Scottish Forestry could be used to deliver 450mw of bio-mass electricity, and secure or create over 2,000 jobs in Scotland. In addition, bio-mass will be increasingly important as a heating fuel throughout rural areas such as the Highlands.
Wood bio-mass includes forest products, untreated wood products, energy crops, short rotation coppice e.g. willow, miscanthus (elephant grass). Non-wood bio-mass includes animal waste, industrial and biodegradable municipal products from food processing and high-energy crops e.g. rape, sugar cane, maize.
For small scale domestic applications of bio-mass the fuel usually takes the form of wood pellets, wood chips and wood logs. We are generally familiar with wood chips and logs. Wood pellets are a compact form of wood, which have low moisture content and a high energy density. Although they are currently more expensive than logs and wood chips, they are easier to handle and are ideal for automated systems.
The energy content of the fuel is related to its moisture content. High moisture content will slow the combustion process, as the moisture must first boil off before the fuel can burn. Full combustion is also the cleanest process, leaving no partial combustion products like carbon monoxide, particulates or unburnt volatile hydrocarbons. The type of heating system you choose has a direct effect on the fuel used and the storage space required.
How Does Bio-mass Work?
Modern wood heating technology stands out from other types of heating, not only because it is a highly-efficient means of burning low emission fuels, but also because it is convenient and clean.
People have been producing energy from bio-mass for Centuries, and in many parts of the world it is still the principal source of heat. However, modern technologies are far more efficient than open fires and an increasing range of fuels is now being utilised.
Bio-mass is often called “bio-energy” or “bio-fuels”. These bio-fuels are produced from organic materials, either directly from plants or indirectly from industrial, commercial, domestic or agricultural products.
