Environmental Commitment
The benefits of pellet fuel
Pellet manufacturers take by-products (like wood waste) and refine them into pencil-sized pellets that are uniform in size, shape, moisture, density and energy content. Why not simply burn raw biomass? First, the moisture content of pellets is substantially lower (4% to 8% water, compared to 20% to 60% for raw biomass). Less moisture means higher BTU value and easier handling especially in freezing conditions with green biomass raw materials. Second, the density of pellet fuel is substantially higher than raw biomass (640 kg per cubic meter vs. 160-400 kg per cubic meter in raw material form). More fuel can be transported in a given truck space, and more energy can be stored at your site. Third, pellets are more easily and predictably handled. Their uniform shape and size allows for a smaller and simpler feed system that reduces costs. This high density and uniform shape facilitates pellets being stored in standard silos, transported in rail cars and delivered in tanker trucks. Pellets pose none of the explosion risks or environmental pollution from spills that non-renewable fossil fuels do.
Indicative Comparison
Fuel Type |
Btu per unit |
Price per unit |
Cost to produce 1,000,000 Btu |
Appliance Efficiency |
Effective |
Shelled Corn |
8,000 per pound |
$194 per ton ($5.42/bu) |
$12.10 |
80% |
$15.12 |
Electricity |
3,413 per KWH |
Kwh |
$53.03 |
100% |
$53.03 |
Natural Gas |
100,010 per CU FT |
$1.46 per therm |
$14.60 |
80% |
$18.25 |
Fuel Oil |
3.79 L |
3.79 L |
$27.12 |
80% |
$33.90 |
LP Gas |
3.79 L |
3.79 L |
$34.65 |
80% |
$43.31 |
Wood |
22,000,000 per cord |
$240 per cord (green) |
$14.57 |
60% |
$24.28 |
Wood Pellets |
8.000 per pound |
$299 per ton |
$18.69 |
80% |
$23.36 |
Kerosene |
gallon |
gallon |
$33.72 |
95% |
$35.49 |
The remarkable consistency and burn efficiency of pellet fuel produces a fraction of the particulate emissions of raw biomass. Pellet burners feature the lowest particulate matter emissions of all solid fuel burners.
When you heat with biomass, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Trees absorb this carbon dioxide in equal amounts as they grow, so burning pellets does not increase the amount of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
Arsenic, carbon monoxide, sulphur and the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide are just a few of the air and water pollutants resulting from the use of all non-renewable fossil fuels as a heat and an energy source. Even if the supply of non-renewable fossil fuel was unlimited, the economic and associated environmental costs of transporting and burning ever-increasing amounts of non-renewable fossil fuels are simply unsustainable. In fact, since pellets can burn more efficiently (system efficiency averages at 80%) than other fuels, emissions from pellet burners meet even the most stringent EPA requirements.
Any remaining ash in the burn chamber, when removed, is of little consequence. Once the ash is emptied periodically, it can actually be used as fertilizer. Finally, pellet storage poses no soil or water contamination risk. A spill can be cleaned with a shovel ... not a hazardous waste crew.
What is biomass fuel?
Cordwood, wood pellets, wood chips, waste paper and dozens of other agricultural by-products capable of being used for energy, are all examples of biomass fuel. The most compelling principle of biomass is that it is renewable. Given proper forest and agricultural management, biomass is virtually limitless and has proven price stability. The environmental benefit of the fuel is that it turns readily available waste products into clean and efficient energy.
Sustainable forest initiatives, wood manufacturing by-products and other forms of forest agricultural management provide cost effective pellet fuel manufacturers with low cost materials by retrieving biomass materials from these programs. The majority of North America's forest is second-growth and requires periodic treatment in order to address forest health and fire mitigation. A tremendous amount of unusable material remains on the forest floor after such treatment; material rejected by high-end wood product manufacturers but a perfect resource for commercial pellet manufacturers.
By engineering waste such as cornstalks, straw, wastepaper, wooden shipping pallets, residual forest waste, even animal waste, pellets can utilize millions of tons of waste and put them to work.
Combustion systems & changeover
Though pellet fuel installations have a reputation in some circles as 'alternative' choices, their functional components are virtually identical to those of the more conventional oil, coal or gas systems. The European example offers a glimpse of what future opportunities hold. They include a pellet storage container, a burner, an automated feeder to supply that burner, a boiler, exhaust system and chimney. There is no need for extensive permits or containment because there is no volatile oil or gas. Any storage can take place above or below ground, making maintenance and filling easier and further reducing costs of installation and upkeep.
A heating system producing approximately 500,000 BTU/hr (that of a small school's system, for instance) currently burning oil, coal or natural gas, in many instances can be changed to burn pellets with retrofits made to the burner only, plus the addition of a combustion conveying system and a storage container. In such a system, the existing boiler and heat delivery structures remain unchanged. Solid fuel systems such as those burning coal or wood chips are more easily retrofitted to burn pellets through simple feed and air supply adjustments. A pelletized, refined fuel will always burn cleaner than the virgin material form.
The pellet fuel burn process emits far less than an equvalent non-renewable fossil fuel. Future research in commercial pellet burning systems are employing various technologies which are promising even further increases in efficiencies.
With the reduced costs, ease of operation and environmental benefits, pellet fuel provides financial benefits to the consumers and the communities in which they live. Since pellets are manufactured regionally, they are never a monetary drain on a town, city or county. Regional waste problems are addressed and supply is tailored to local needs. Pellets provide jobs, pellet dollars stay in the region, and the entire community relies less on foreign energy.
Getting off the non-renewable fossil fuel roller coaster
History has shown that non-renewable fossil fuels are extremely price volatile. A crisis or international event that chokes fossil fuel supplies can cause periodic spikes in costs. The US is expected to increase their importation of foreign oil greatly as compared to their oil consumption today. Considering the human, political, and economic consequences of non-renewable fuels, such variations loom ominously large for anyone contemplating running a tightly budgeted business on oil or natural gas.
Pellet fuel costs have been virtually constant with no foreseeable change. Since forecasters rely on regional manufacturers for their production estimates, the estimate of pellet fuel costs is likely to be far more accurate than oil estimates from OPEC. Given that hundreds of businesses were forced to shut their doors due to the dizzying spike in fuel costs in 2001, doesn't it simply make better sense to rely on local resources for your energy?
The bottom line
Energy policy means making tough decisions, weighing costs and benefits and even judging the next turn in the financial road. Pellet fuel can put North America ahead in all those areas. It will encourage the economic and energy independence of your communities, reduce costs and clean the air into the bargain.