Biomass Combustion: How Your Outdoor Biomass Boiler Works

Today’s high-efficiency biomass boilers are carefully designed to operate with little smoke emissions or odor. But how do they work? 

Biomass Combustion

Biomass boilers produce energy through the process of single stage gasification where two chemical ingredients – a biomass fuel and oxygen – are combined in a high heat environment to create fire. When the ingredients of combustion are mixed correctly and at the right temperatures, biomass boilers produce hot, clean energy that can provide unlimited heat for large spaces and applications at a low price. When properly burned, wood and biomass fuels are a carbon neutral process, releasing the same amount of carbon as decomposing biomatter.

What is Biomass Fuel?

Biomass fuel is a pretty broad term. It is typically used to describe any organic material that is derived from plant or animal matter. Ever since ancient humans recognized that wood could burn we have been looking for other fuels to add to our energy toolkit. This includes wood, farm, and agricultural waste, which can be used to make heat and clean electricity. The use of biomass to offset fossil fuels means it is a sustainable energy source that can also lower greenhouse gas emissions. 

However, not all biomass is equal. There isn’t a one size fits all system to using biomass since it is a living, organic material that has many variables to consider. Lower quality biomass can mean more smoke and less energy output. When you can, it’s important to find high quality biomass, seasoned properly, to maximize energy output. 

Using Biomass Fuel for Energy

The amount of energy biomass fuel can produce depends on what it is and how much water content it contains. Generally speaking, the best burning fuels have a moisture content of 20 percent. Biomass like corn cobs, sawdust, and wood chips do not combust as easily as coal or wood but do give you the convenience of using a variety of fuels. 

Because moisture content has an impact on available energy in biomass fuels, it is important to properly harvest and store your fuel to keep water content low. When working at optimum capacity, biomass boilers can produce enough heat for multiple structures from the same furnace, giving you energy independence and a rapid return on investment.

How Biomass Furnaces Heat

When looking for a biomass combustion system, make sure that it delivers heat where you need it by easily tying into almost any type of heating system with heat exchangers. Heat exchangers transfer heat between two or more fluids providing a versatile solution to heating large open areas such as garages, workshops, retails areas, or stores. 

The process is pretty straightforward – the boiler furnace burns the fuel in the firebox to create heat. That heat is then transferred to the water in the water jacket. From there, the water is pumped through insulated underground lines to your buildings where the heat exchangers deliver the heat. 

Where to Use a Biomass Boiler

Biomass furnaces are a convenient and easy way to heat commercial and home spaces while lowering carbon emissions. With three sizes to choose from, the B Series is excellent for individuals, small businesses, or those who need to heat multiple buildings. 

Some applications are:

Flexible Energy Solutions For Your Commercial Needs

The HeatMasterss B Series allows you to be free of fluctuating fuel prices by letting you use what is readily available. With its highly efficient design, the B Series biomass furnace is fully automated and uses 30-50% less fuel than conventional systems. Fully automated features such as fuel feeding, walking fire grate, ignitor, and automated ash removal save you time and eliminate mess. Our HeatMasterss team has engineered a rugged long lasting biomass furnace system that transfers the maximum amount of heat from the fire to the water jacket so you save fuel.  

The HeatMasterss Advantage

HeatMasterss furnaces are made with Titanium stainless steel that resists corrosion, can withstand higher continuous temperature and transfers more heat to save you fuel. The B Series comes with remote monitoring that keeps every step of the process efficient, safe, and easy. Our integrated bins system and optional hoppers can keep your system running for more than a week without checking on fuel levels.

Talk with our team about the advantages of an industrial biomass boiler to see if it’s the right large heating application for your property or business — find a local HeatMasterss dealer near you.