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Title: Performance of a small underfed wood chip-fired stoker in a hot air-heated home

Conference · · J. Appl. Polym. Sci.: Appl. Polym. Symp.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5061959

The goal of the study was to provide space heat for a home using forest biomass presently not in demand by industry, and to do it using a convenient, automatic, low-emission heating system. A stoker firing wood chips was installed in a home, and chips were prepared for it from the residues of a softwood clearcut. One and one-quarter acres of residues provided enough fuel to heat the house for the heating season. The chip-fired heating system was convenient, maintained the house at whatever temperature was set on the room thermostat, and generated little creosote or wood smoke. It was better at converting fuel to heat energy than the previous combustion heating systems in the house, with steady-state combustion efficiency of approximately 75% and longer-term appliance efficiency of 69%. Electrical energy required for heating hot water was reduced about 27% as a result of a preheating coil located in the chip-fired furnace. The major cause of heat interruptions was jamming of the stoker which occurred on the average of every 18.5 days. Clearing such jams was simple. The system operated safely thoughout the test period. 4 references, 5 tables.

Research Organization:
Univ. of New Brunswick, Fredericton
OSTI ID:
5061959
Report Number(s):
CONF-8205234-Vol.2
Journal Information:
J. Appl. Polym. Sci.: Appl. Polym. Symp.; (United States), Vol. 37; Conference: 9. cellulose conference, Syracuse, NY, USA, 24 May 1982
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English