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LOW EMISSION AND HIGH EFFICIENCY RESIDENTIAL PELLET-FIRED HEATERS
Citation:
Houck, J. E., A. T. Scott, C R. Purvis*, P. H. Kariher, J. Crouch, AND M. J. Van Buren. LOW EMISSION AND HIGH EFFICIENCY RESIDENTIAL PELLET-FIRED HEATERS. Presented at Bioenergy 2000 Conference, Buffalo, NY, 10/15-19/2000.
Description:
The paper gives results of air emissions testing and efficiency testing on new commercially available under-feed and top-feed residential heaters burning hardwood- and softwood-based pellets. The results were compared with data from earlier models. Reductions in air emissions were documented. The data from both the old and new technology stives confirm that pellet-firesd heaters offer an environmentally sound option for the utilization of wood waste for home heating. (NOTE: An estimated 350,000 residential pellet-fired heaters are currently in use in the U.S. In recent years, about 30,000 to 40,000 units have been sold annually. There are two fundamental technology types: under-feed and top-feed. Pellets originating from both hardwood and softwood residue are available. During the 1995-1996 heating season, 654,000 tons of pellets were sold nationwide. Nearly all pellet-fired heaters have been sold since 1989. Even with this recent introduction, there has been significant improvement in realiability, efficiency, and air pollutant emissions in current models, compared to the earliest models. Electronic and microprocessor control of combustion air, fuel feed, and convection fans is primarily responsible for the improvement. Unfortunately, air emissions and efficiency data in the open literature and in government reports are still based on earlier-model performance.