Biomass Evaluation: Including a Case Study on Woodchip

7,79

MB

Utilisation at Ardverikie Estate, Kinlochlaggan

121

stron

5263

ID

University of Strathclyde

2001

rok

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction1

1.1 Mankind and the Demand for Energy 2

1.2 Energy and Entropy 3

1.3 The Watersheds 5

2. Sustainability 7

2.1 Sustainability: The Definition8

2.2 World Fossil Fuel Reserves9

2.3 Renewable Energy 12

3. Biomass: What is it?18

3.1 Biomass: The Definition 19

3.2 Photosynthesis: The Core of Energy Storage 21

3.3 Biomass as a Fuel Source 23

3.3.1 Biofuels 23

3.3.2 Types of Biomass 23

3.4 Biomass: The Potential Hazards27

3.5 Wood as a Biofuel 30

3.5.1 Wood composition 31

3.5.2 Heating Values 32

3.6 Sources of Woodfuel 34

3.6.1 Plantations 34

3.6.2 Semi-natural and Natural Woodland 34

3.6.3 Urban Forestry 34

4. Fuels and Combustion 35

4.1 What is a Fuel? 36

4.2 Combustion 36

4.3 Wood: Elemental Analysis39

4.4 The Influence of Moisture41

5. Biomass Process and Conversion Technologies 44

5.1 Processed Woodfuel Types45

5.2 Woodfuel Harvesting and Preparation 48

5.2.1 Harvesting Methods48

5.2.2 Drying & Storage Methods50

5.3 Converting the Woodchip Energy 52

5.3.1 Modelling the Boiler53

5.4 Combustion Devices 55

5.4.1 Woodchip Combustion Designs 58

5.4.1.1 The Underfeed Stoker 58

5.4.1.2 The Stoker Burner59

5.4.1.3 The Inclined Grate62

5.4.1.4 The Pre-Combustor63

5.5 Connecting A Woodchip Boiler into an Installation64

5.6 Good Practice Guidelines for Woodchip Boiler Installation 65

5.6.1 Boiler Controls 65

5.6.2 Woodchip Boilers Operation and Maintenance67

5.6.3 Health and Safety Issues67

6. The Ardverikie Case Study 69

6.1 Introduction 70

6.1.1 Case Study Overview72

6.2 The Forestry Operations 74

6.2.1 Ardverikie Estate Forestry Operations Costing75

6.3 The Property Survey Results77

6.3.1 Ardverikie House 77

6.3.2 Ardverikie House Heat Load Calculations 77

6.3.2.1 Electric Heating Option 79

6.3.2.2 Woodchip Heating79

6.4 Aberarder Lodge and Aberarder Cottage 81

6.4.1 Aberarder Lodge and Cottage Heat Load Calculations 81

6.5 Estate Properties Summary Table 84

6.6 Woodchip Requirement for Estate 87

6.6.1 Ardverikie House 87

6.6.2 Aberarder Lodge and Cottage 87

6.6.3 The Gatelodge 88

6.6.4 Gallovie Farmhouse88

6.6.5 Inverpattack Lodge 89

6.6.6 The Old School House (Office) 89

6.7 Cost Analysis of Installing Woodchip Boilers

6.7.1 Cost Analysis of installing the SWEBO range of woodchip Systems 91

6.7.2 Calculating the payback on SWEB woodchip systems 93

6.7.3 Calculating the future fuel costs: a comparison94

7.Conclusions96

7.1 Conclusions 97

8.References and Bibliography99

8.1 References & Bibliography100

9.Appendix101

Appendix 1 Photographs of Ardverikie Estate buildings, Hydro scheme and Sawmill102

Appendix 2 SWEBO woodchip systems burner ratings chart 110

Appendix 3 Conversion factors and related information111

Appendix 4 Biomass decision-making flow chart 112

Appendix 5 Communication from Estate owner 113