Best Practice Chip Delivery, Storage & Handling And The Importance of Fuel Quality Nick Gough RTS Ltd Woodfuel Manager

Company Profile Core business in woodland management and timber harvesting Woodfuel supplier since 2006 Currently produce 30,000 tonnes/year Central depot in Crieff supplying 60+ boilers Mobile chipper for onsite production

Contents 1.Fuel Quality Industry Standards Emissions Standards Monitoring Quality Standards Industry Accreditation 2.Storage & Handling Best Practice 3.Delivery Methods

Importance of Fuel Quality Efficient heat production Reduced chances of breakdown Reduced labour costs in running Maximise lifespan of boiler

Industry Standards BS EN CEN/TS 14961:2005 Particle Size: P16/P31.5/P45/P63/P100 Moisture Content: M20/M25/M30/M35/M40/M55/M65 Ash Content: A0.7/A1.5/A3.0/A6.0/A10.0 Nitrogen Content: N0.5/N1.0/N3.0/N3.0+* *Nitrogen content only specified in reclaimed/treated wood

BS EN - CEN/TS 14961:2005 Size Classification Chip Designation Maximum % Particle Size Coarse Fraction <1% of weightMain Fraction >80% of weightFine Fraction <5% of weight P mm mm<1mm P45>63mm mm<1mm P63>100mm mm<1mm Moisture Content Classification Chip DesignationMoisture Content in % (wet basis) M20<20% M30<30% M40<40%

Industry Standards Önorm M7 133 Source:

Fuel Quality in Relation to Emissions Standards Includes: Particulates, CO, SO 2 and NO x Biomass fuels contain ~50% C, 40% O and 5% H Perfect combustion converts to CO 2 and water vapour (H 2 O) Also contain ~0.3% N, 0.1% S, 0.1% Cl plus traces of Ca, K, Si, P and Na Levels of trace elements determined by environment, growing conditions, species and local contaminants

Fuel Quality in Relation to Emissions Standards Bark, brash, Arboricultural arisings and garden waste have higher mineral content than stemwood Trees grown in coastal areas may have elevated Cl content Best fuel source is clean, virgin stemwood Main cause of high emissions not related to fuel Caused by using inappropriate, badly maintained or poorly operated equipment

Monitoring Quality Standards Particle Size Sampling

Monitoring Quality Standards Moisture Content

Industry Accreditation

Chip Storage & Handling Biomass will naturally degrade over time, particularly if exposed to water. Woodchip has a natural tendency to absorb water if it comes into contact. Water ingress can come from rain and also through groundwater. Care should be taken to avoid ‘dead spots’ where chips build up or get stuck. Areas should be identified and cleared regularly to prevent composting.

Chip Storage & Handling

Fuel storage designed to protect chip from water ingress and contamination by foreign objects.

Chip Storage & Handling Storage should be designed to allow transport of fuel to it’s next destination with minimal energy input. Access for delivery vehicles and maintenance should be primary concerns during design. Using gravity to assist deliveries avoids use of additional handling equipment such as blowers or elevators. – Below ground fuel store – Access ramp

Chip Storage & Handling Handling equipment should be kept clean If possible only used for fuel handling

Delivery Methods Consider size and frequency of deliveries Quick, simple deliveries often require high up front costs (underground fuel store) Check access for delivery vehicles is sufficient Look at options available locally before committing to a particular delivery method

Delivery Methods Tractor and Tipping Trailer 20-30m 3 (5-8 tonnes) Cheap but small delivery radius Bulk Tipper 30-60m 3 (7-14 tonnes) Greater range but more costly than tractor

Delivery Methods Hook Lift Skip 30-40m 3 (7-9 tonnes) ‘Plug & Play’ fuel store High haulage cost Walking Floor Articulated Lorry m 3 (18-22 tonnes) Cost effective for large boilers Access prohibitive

Deliver Methods Blower Lorry 30-40m 3 (7-9 tonnes) Ideal for above ground stores Expensive Scissorlift Trailer 15-20m 3 (3-5 tonnes) Ideal for above ground stores Small capacity Not commonly available

Alternatives

Conclusions Fuel quality is linked to boiler efficiency which is a major contributing factor in emissions levels. Clean virgin timber contains the fewest volatile chemicals. Fuel storage and handling should be designed to prevent water and foreign objects contaminating woodchip. There are many options for delivering woodchip, investigate your options and chose wisely!