Benefits

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
situations with green raw biomass materials.
Second, the density of pellet fuel is substantially
higher than raw biomass (40 lbs. per cubic foot vs.
10-25 lbs. per cubic foot 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 can be stored in
standard silos, transported in rail cars and
delivered in truck containers. Pellets pose none of
the explosion risks or environmental pollution from
spills as nonrenewable fossil fuels do.
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 greehouse 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 nonrenewable fossil fuels as a heat and an
energy source. Even if the supply of nonrenewable
fossil fuel was unlimited, the economic and
associated environmental costs of transporting and
burning ever-increasing amounts of nonrenewable
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 double as a
fertilizer. Finally, pellet store poses no soil or water
contamination risks. A spill can be cleaned with a
shovel ... not a hazardous waste crew.

The Pellet Advantage: 10 reasons you will warm up
to the idea of a bio-fuel pellet home heating system

Bio-fuel Pellet Fuel is a fraction of cost of
fossil fuel.
It's a renewable resource, right in our own
backyard.
Bio-fuel pellet heating systems do not
contribute to ozone levels and are
considered to be in compliance with the
Kyoto Accord stance on air emissions.
Bio-fuel pellets are easy to ship, delivered
in compact bags to your home.
They are allergy-free, with no dust or
contaminants.
Pellets are produced from forest industry
waste bio-fuel. And the raw fiber supply here
in the United States is solid and strong.
Automatic feed systems on the new state-of-
the-art bio-fuel pellet home heating systems
mean less work for the operator.
Bio-fuel pellet costs are stable, and not
subject to the whims of foreign producers.
Bio-fuel pellets burn at a very high
temperature, eliminating the waste product
so often associated with other bulk wood or
coal heat. In fact, a 40-pound bag of pellets
produces only three ounces of ash.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has endorsed wood pellet heat as
one of the cleanest-burning, most renewable
energy sources on Earth.

Publication:
Wood Pellet Association of Canada
11020 Lower Mud River Road Prince George, BC
V2N 5C3