Pellets are wood and other waste from woodworking or agricultural enterprises, which are small compressed cylindrical granules. They are used as fuel for pellet boilers. These boilers, like any other types of solid fuel heating equipment, are one of the few reasonable solutions in the absence of a house connection to a gas pipeline.
Rating of pellet boilers
The table below shows the models of the leading manufacturers of pellet boilers. We carefully studied them and prepared our independent rating.
| Model | Maximum power, kW | Fuel | Hopper capacity, kg | Burner type | price, rub. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 20 | pellets Ø6-8 mm | 90 | torch, manual ignition | 91340 |
| 2. | 22 | pellets Ø6-8 mm up to 50 mm long, firewood | 120 | torch, auto ignition | 92400 |
| 3. | 22 | pellets Ø6-8 mm, firewood with humidity up to 35%, coal, briquettes | 160 | torch, auto ignition | 136700 |
| 4. | 26 | pellets Ø6-8 mm, firewood | 210 | retort, manual ignition | 158000 |
| 5. | 30 | pellets Ø6-8 mm, firewood | 210 | torch, auto ignition | 189500 |
| 6. | 25 | pellets Ø8 mm, length 15-35 mm, firewood with humidity up to 20% | 200 | retort, auto ignition | 196000 |
| 7. | 28 | pellets Ø6-8 mm, length no more than 35 mm | 110 | torch, auto ignition | 225300 |
| 8. | 27 | pellets Ø6-8 mm, coal | 150 | retort, auto ignition | 227300 |
| 9. | 31,5 | pellets Ø6-8 mm | 150 | retort, auto ignition | 234900 |
| 10. | 25 | pellets Ø6-8 mm, firewood with humidity up to 20%, coal 5-25 mm, grain | 220 | retort, auto ignition | 265 160 |
1. Stropuva P20 - from 91,340 rubles.
The original development from the Lithuanian company combines simplicity, efficiency and low cost. The feature of the model is its design. There is no auger for fuel supply, pellets are fed into the combustion chamber by gravity. There is no automatic ignition system. The boiler will have to be started using gas burner. But this will only need to be done a few times per season.
The boiler has 4 temperature sensors that provide fine tuning of the heating system and control the operation of the burner. Changing the power of the equipment is provided by adjusting the air supply by the fan. The maximum consumption of pellets in this case is 4 kg / h, which, with a bunker of 90 kg, provides up to 22.5 hours of continuous operation at maximum power.
The design of the heat exchanger also deserves attention. The water jacket is arranged in the walls of the cylinder, the rest of the place is occupied by a fixture with steel disc elements. They play the role of turbulators, reduce the speed of flue gases, increasing the time of their contact with the surface of the heat exchanger. In addition, they serve as a filter for solid combustion products - they prevent the formation of blockages in the chimney. Cleaning the boiler comes down to removing the ash accumulated in the combustion chamber and cleaning the surface of the turbulators, which are easily removed when the top cover is opened.
Watch the video review of Stropuva P20:
2. Teplodar Kupper PRO 22 with APG25 - from 92,400 rubles.
The manufacturers of the Kupper PRO pellet boiler simply modified the popular model of their steel solid fuel unit: an APG-25 automatic pellet burner was installed on the Kupper PRO single-circuit boiler. The result was equipment with a power range of 4-22 kW. By default, it runs on pellets, but if necessary, you can switch to emergency fuel in the form of firewood. In the basic configuration, a heating element of 6 kW is provided, so another backup option is heating on electricity. APG is supplied as a set of a fuel bunker with a feeder, a control panel, and a burner itself.
The peculiarity of the model lies in the location of the bunker directly on the boiler. Thanks to this solution, space is saved, but ergonomics suffer - more effort is needed to load pellets. The automation system controls the operation of the boiler from the very start of the system, it is enough to set the heating parameters before starting the unit. With a full hopper and continuous operation of the burner, fuel will last for 13.3 hours. Regarding maintenance: the boiler must be cleaned at least once a month, the burner at least once a week.
Watch a video review of Teplodar Kupper PRO 22 with APG25:
3. Obshchemash Valdai 22M2 - from 136,700 rubles.
Valdai 22M2 is a single-circuit steel boiler with a 22 kW water-tube heat exchanger and a control range of 4-22 kW. The main fuel is pellets different quality, including from wood, fires of flax, sunflower husks, peat. Firewood with a moisture content of up to 35% can be used as emergency fuel. In the latter case, you will have to install additional grates. Efficiency on pellets with a low ash content reaches 90%, on firewood a maximum of 76% can be squeezed out.
The control unit can operate in several modes: maintaining the temperature of water or air entering the boiler in heated rooms, based on information from an external sensor; schedule work; work in conjunction with an electric heater; stop-start mode; emergency mode on wood. It is also possible to control the heating system pump. The operation of the boiler can be controlled remotely via a smartphone or computer.
To provide safe operation protection against overheating is provided: the temperature of the exhaust gases at the outlet of the boiler is fixed. At the maximum power of the boiler, the volume of the bunker will last more than 25.4 hours. The simple design of the unit minimizes the amount of deposits on the surface of the heat exchanger and makes it easy to clean. Has an automatic mechanism mechanical cleaning burners.
Watch a video review of Obshchemash Valdai:
4. FACI 26 - from 158,000 rubles.
- a boiler from a joint Italian-Russian enterprise with an original drum heat exchanger made of steel. The maximum power is 26 kW, it can work both on pellets and on firewood (reserve fuel). The pellet feeding system uses a twin screw design to prevent the hopper from backfire.
It features a large water jacket that covers the entire combustion chamber. Turbulators are installed in the drum heat exchanger - plates with a developed geometry to increase the contact time of hot gases with the heat exchanger wall. It is important to consider that auto-ignition, a system for automatic ash removal and cleaning of the heat exchanger are additional options that you need to pay extra for. The fuel in the bunker with a constant supply and operation at maximum power is enough for 35 hours.
Among the design features, one can also note the location of the bunker: just behind the boiler - as well as ease of maintenance. It takes no more than 15 minutes to clean the entire boiler, because all nodes are freely available.
Watch the video review of FACI 26:
5. TIS Pellet 25 - from 189,500 rubles.
If questions about the quality of fuel pellets are paramount, then you should pay attention to the Belarusian unit. It works in the range from 10 to 30 kW of power on wood, peat, flax pellets, granules from sunflower husks. You can even burn cherry pits or grain unsuitable for food purposes. As an emergency option - ordinary firewood, coal and peat. In the latter case, we are talking about manual bookmarking.
The presence of weather-dependent automation allows you to fine-tune the operating mode with reference to the weather and fuel quality. Full loading of the bunker in the maximum power mode guarantees up to 35 hours of continuous operation. By default, thermal sensors are installed that protect the fuel supply from ignition and boiling of the coolant. The burner has auto-ignition and a mechanical ash removal system.
As options, a room thermostat is connected, a module for controlling the boiler depending on the temperature in different rooms, control module for 2 mixing circuits and 2 pumps, remote control module via the Internet.
Watch the video review of TIS Pellet 25:
6. ZOTA Pellet-25S - from 196,000 rubles.
The presented model of a steel single-circuit boiler is designed with the expectation of a tough operating mode: not always good fuel, working at full capacity, power outages. According to manufacturers, it can give odds to imported counterparts in terms of resistance to the harsh Russian reality. Power is regulated automatically and can be set in the range from 13 to 25 kW. Automation provides control of the power of the unit and the temperature of the coolant, and also provides the user with data for analysis on the actual fuel consumption.
The volume of the bunker in 332 l is enough for loading up to 200 kg of pellets. This amount is enough for the uninterrupted operation of the boiler in maximum mode for 31.7 hours. If necessary, firewood and briquettes can be used as fuel. For these purposes, additional grates are installed. It is possible to optionally install a heating element for heating on electricity. By default, a control program with reference to the weather is provided. Among the chips of the system, one can note the option remote control using a cell phone. The bunker can be installed on both sides of the boiler, if necessary, increase its volume by installing additional modules.
Watch a video review of ZOTA Pellet, in this case - for 40 kW:
7. Kiturami KRP-20A - from 225,300 rubles.
Steel double-circuit boiler for heating buildings ranging from 60 to 280 m2. It differs in efficiency up to 96%, as well as the installation of high-quality Korean automation. The use of turbulators and a large water jacket ensure efficient heat removal. In this model, vibration cleaning of the heat exchanger and burner grate is automated, which greatly simplifies the maintenance of the unit: when using light pellets, manual cleaning is needed only once every 2-4 weeks. The system is equipped with automatic ignition, the coolant circulates in the jacket forcibly, giving out up to 9 liters of hot water per minute.
It is possible to fine-tune automation. Including - access to the absence mode with minimal fuel consumption to maintain a temperature at which the heating system does not freeze. In this mode, the equipment can work up to two weeks. On average, fuel consumption per season for heating an area of 100 m² is 3.5-4 tons of pellets.
The boiler uses a flare burner in the form of a bowl. The ash accumulates in a large ash box, which is enough to store the ash after all the fuel in the bunker has been burned. The equipment is delivered in a complete package, including a boiler with a burner, a remote-type thermostat-controller, systems for cleaning the grate and protecting the auger from overflowing with fuel, and a fire damper.
View a video review of the Kiturami KRP-20A:
8. Buderus Logano S181 25 E - from 227,300 rubles.
Single-circuit boiler for 27 kW with an efficiency of 88%, equipped with a steel tubular heat exchanger. Coal or pellets are used as fuel. The standard fuel tank capacity of 240 liters at maximum power is enough for 50 hours of operation on high-calorie coal, and 25 hours on white pellets. The volume of the bunker can optionally be increased by 140 liters, it is enough to add one section - this takes no more than 15 minutes. The fuel tank can be mounted either on the left or on the right. By default, the system is equipped with automation that regulates fuel consumption, the operation of the fan and pumps.
The control unit has an intuitive interface, the display shows all the information on the operation of the boiler. If necessary, as options, you can install a room thermostat, connect additional heating circuits, a remote control unit via WiFi or GSM.
As for maintenance: once a day, the ash drawer needs to be cleaned, once a week - the heat exchanger is cleaned, once a month - a complete cleaning of the boiler. Given the availability of all nodes, even the last stage takes no more than 15 minutes.
View video review of Buderus Logano S181 E:
9. OPOP Biopel Line Kompakt 30 / V9 - from 234,900 rubles.
Despite the fact that this rating considers models with a power of up to 30 kW, we simply could not ignore the development of the Czech company OPOP. After all, this steel boiler can operate in the range from 8.5 to 31.5 kW, which means it is suitable for most homes. The efficiency of the unit reaches 92.2%, at the maximum capacity of the bunker it is enough for continuous operation for 34.7 hours. Such a high efficiency is achieved due to the large jacket and the presence of turbulators in the heat exchanger to increase the efficiency of heat removal. An automatic cleaning system can also be installed here as an option.
If it is necessary to increase the volume of the bunker, the manufacturer offers to install a free-standing bunker for 3 tons. But the main feature reveals itself when installing the complete set. In this case, the participation of a person in servicing the boiler is minimized - it will only be necessary to remove the ash from the ash box. Also, if necessary, you can connect a room thermostat, a remote monitoring and control system via the Internet. The bunker together with the burner can be installed on the left or right, the ash pan door is also outweighed.
Watch the video review of OPOP Biopel Line Kompakt 30/V9:
10. Pellets Fuzzy Logic 25 - from 265,160 rubles.
Steel single-circuit boiler with efficiency up to 92%, able to work not only on pellets, but also on fine coal, grain and even wood. In the latter case, we are talking about manual loading of fuel onto segments of a cast-iron grate specially installed for this purpose. There are two modes of operation: summer and weather. In the first case, the boiler serves to provide hot water for domestic purposes in the summer season (connected to the boiler), in the second - it works as part of the heating system. The power of the boiler can be changed in the range of 8-25 kW. Up to 220 kg of pellets can be loaded into the bunker. At maximum power, this should be enough for 38 hours.
To optimize the amount of thrust, a lambda probe is provided in the design. This helps save up to 20% fuel. At the outlet of the chimney there is a temperature sensor that will notify you if the exhaust gas temperature is exceeded and the boiler needs to be cleaned. Maintenance is quite simple, and when using low ash pellets, ash removal is necessary about once a month. It should be noted the possibility of installing a fuel tank on opposite sides of the boiler - this allows you to adapt the unit to any boiler rooms.
Watch a video review of Pellets Fuzzy Logic 25:
Device and principle of operation
The complex of such equipment consists of several parts: a boiler, a bunker for loading fuel and a conveyor for feeding it into the furnace. The boiler has a burner, a fan that blows air into the combustion zone, all kinds of sensors to control the supply of pellets and clean the equipment from ash, as well as a control system responsible for the coordination of the operation of all units of heating equipment. Schematically, the arrangement of boilers where pellets are burned is shown in the figure below.
It all works like this:
- The fuel loaded into the bunker is transferred by gravity and auger to the furnace.
- There is a burner in the furnace with an electric ignition system that ignites the pellets, ensuring the combustion of the pellets. To increase the efficiency of combustion, air is supplied here under pressure, pumped by a fan.
- The heated air passes through the heat exchanger, increasing the temperature of the coolant circulating in the heating system.
- Exhaust gases are removed from the system through the chimney. By the way, about the chimney: in modern boilers, the fuel burns out almost completely and the flue gases almost completely consist of carbon dioxide and water vapor.
Schematically, the technological processes are shown in the figure below. 
Why is it worth considering the purchase of such a boiler as an alternative to any other equipment that uses bottled gas, coal or kerosene as fuel? There are several reasons:
- fuel cost. It is relatively inexpensive, and every year more and more enterprises launch fuel pellet production lines, which makes them even more affordable for the Russian consumer. So, the price for them varies from 4,000 to 7,000 rubles. per ton. On average, 200 sq. meters you need up to 10 tons of fuel. It is easy to calculate that heating costs for 7 months will be approximately 40-60 thousand rubles. At least while the cost of pellets is their advantage - it is not known what will happen when the demand for such fuel increases;
- environmental friendliness. With the use of wood pellets, the problem of waste disposal is solved: you minimize damage to nature while heating your home at the same time. No wonder pellets are classified as biofuels;
- automation of the boiler operation process. Granular fuel has the necessary flowability for batch feeding by augers and under the action of gravity. You can load a capacious bunker for equipment operation during the week;
- minor waste. The low ash content of the fuel (about 1%) minimizes the labor intensity of boiler maintenance work.
Let's make a reservation right away that one of the most significant drawbacks of heating equipment, for which pellets serve as fuel, is the high price. Of course, it can vary widely, based on the power of the boiler, its efficiency, reliability, functionality and other characteristics. But the cost of even the most affordable models starts around 200 thousand rubles. Also, the disadvantages include the dependence of the system on the power supply.
The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing is the power of the boiler. It must exceed the nominal value by 10%. An increase in power directly affects the volume of the bunker, the size of the complex, as well as the cost of equipment. When it changes temperature conditions system performance is easily adjustable. The consumption of pellets depends on the model of the boiler and its settings.
To find out approximately what power the boiler needs in your case, we suggest using our convenient. I would like to believe that its use will not be associated with any difficulties, and the results obtained will facilitate your search.
A pellet boiler is a source of economical heat, located either as a free-standing device or with a built-in structure, capable of heating both a separate room and the whole house. For heating adjacent premises from one boiler, ventilation system air ducts or simple ventilation openings between rooms, and the temperature difference between the rooms is very small and does not adversely affect the comfortable stay of people.
Water, gas or electric heating have reached the peak of their efficiency capabilities, but they are not always available, especially in settlements or cottage villages remote from gas mains, but about separately standing houses and nothing to say...
Assessing economic and practical developments, consumers are increasingly opting for pellet boilers, preferring them to other heating systems.
The principle of operation of the pellet boiler
The main units of pellet boilers are the combustion chamber, burner, pellet hopper and automation.
Pellets, a kind of solid fuel, enter the pre-furnace through the first auger, and from the burner pre-furnace into the nozzle through the internal auger.
After the pellet granules hit the nozzle, the automation performs automatic ignition, accompanied by further complete combustion of the supplied pellets.
For reference: pellets (eng. Pellet's) are wood pellets shaped like small cylinders made of sawdust formed under high pressure. Chemical fixatives and others harmful substances are completely absent.
The calorific value of 1 kg of pellets is equal to 5 kW/h of absolutely environmentally friendly heat. And this is the same as half a liter of diesel fuel. At the same time, pellets burn more completely and more efficiently than firewood, they are denser and take up less space, moreover, pellets are not prone to accidental spontaneous combustion. CO2 emissions are significantly less than those of coal, and the greenhouse effect, as a result, decreases.
Ash cleaning is done relatively infrequently - once a week or less, and the chimney should be serviced once a year.
A few simple but important rules, thanks to which, after installation, the pellet boiler will not require additional measures and alterations:
- it is better that the pellet boiler is installed in separate room(outbuilding, basement, etc.);
- floor in the boiler room - concrete or ceramic tiles;
- the location of the boiler must ensure maintenance, cleaning and repair without difficulties, and from the front wall of the boiler to the opposite wall - at least one meter;
- the temperature in the room where the pellet boiler is installed is at least +10˚C, the humidity is normal.
- according to the power of the boiler, it is necessary to provide supply and exhaust ventilation in the boiler room.
Why is the automatic pellet boiler becoming popular?
High efficiency
The efficiency of burning wood in a clean and dry form in an open flame is about 35%, but pellets of the same mass, burning under exactly the same conditions, give up to 85% efficiency. And in some pellet stoves, an additional water heating circuit is provided for distributing heated water throughout the premises, which increases their efficiency even up to 93%.
- Efficiency of electrical energy - 97.0%;
- Efficiency of natural gas - 87.1%;
- The efficiency of wood pellets is 86-93%.
Automation and convenience
Pellet storage is carried out in a special bunker connected to the combustion chamber. The supply of pellets to the boiler is fully automated, taking into account the weekly program set by the consumer himself! In addition to the obvious fuel savings, there is a less noticeable advantage - convenience, since a couple of hours before the company or family arrives at the dacha, the boiler will turn on the ignition itself, set an even flame and greet you with cozy warmth in the house.
According to your program, say at midnight, the pellet boiler will smoothly turn off the heating so that you can sleep better at a lower temperature, and turn on again in the morning so that guests and hosts can wake up not in a cold, but in a warm room. Automation can be controlled by display buttons or using a convenient remote control.
Bunker pellet boiler
The medium-sized bunker (200-300 liters) is designed for up to 3 days of continuous operation of the boiler. Pellet consumption for a medium power boiler (25 kW) is less than 5 kg per day, compare with firewood.
In addition to the internal bunker, it is possible to arrange a more capacious, external one, which is limited only by desire and the free volume of storage. Most often, this bunker becomes quite large plastic barrel or an even more capacious structure made of metal corners sheathed with sheet plywood.
A large plastic bag (big-bag), in which pellets are supplied, with careful unloading, can also become a kind of bunker in which from 500 to 800 kg of pellets are stored. Since the loading of the external bunker is carried out outside the premises, there is no need to carry pellets around the house.
Exploitation
The combustion is monitored by the control system, the burner for the pellet boiler is loaded with no more than a handful of pellets at a time, so overheating of the system is impossible. After pressing the button to turn off the pellet boiler, it will take 5, maximum 10 minutes to burn out the next portion of fuel! After that, the combustion stops completely.
Environmental Safety
In pellet boilers, the combustion air supply circuit is completely separated from the air heating circuit, which saves everyone from the detrimental effect of oxygen “burnout”, so it is comfortable in the room. Many users provide air intake from the basement, which additionally ventilates and dries the basement. Possibility of hitting carbon monoxide in the room is completely excluded.
What else should be emphasized when it comes to the advantages of pellet boilers:
- low-noise and low-power consumption fan provides uniform circulation of heated air;
- total electricity consumption (fan + automation) - no more than 60 watts;
- since the fuel burns much better than ordinary dry wood, the combustion products are really minimal;
- when compared with traditional oven, even of the highest quality, burnt pellets will leave half as much soot and ash;
- the heating system works to heat the air, not the body, which makes it safe for children or animals;
- capacious bunker - self-sufficiency of the pellet stove with fuel.
- operation control - thermostat, timer or intelligent control systems - this is a safe continuous operation of the boiler.
For reference: 1 ton of pellets will be about one and a half to two cubic meters in volume, which will make it possible to provide yourself with a large supply of fuel (2-4 tons of pellets = 4-6 cubic meters, which is not so much).
In recent years, several convenient systems for supplying pellets to the boiler (pneumatic, screw, and others) have already been developed, so the buyer has a choice.
Disadvantages of a pellet boiler
But, let's not idealize the situation, not everything is so simple, there is, of course, a small fly in the ointment.
Although pellets are made from waste wood, their cost per unit of heat released is still higher than the cost of conventional firewood. Therefore, you have to pay extra for convenience.
Storing pellets requires the creation of certain conditions, here you can’t get by with a simple canopy. From water or high humidity, the pellets swell and fall apart, and the screws can become clogged. Therefore, they should be stored in a dry room, such as a basement.
The cost of a set of additional equipment, together with a medium-capacity pellet boiler, and this is a voltage stabilizer and a gas generator, will be about 250 thousand rubles. What you will agree is very expensive.
Pellet consumption in winter is approximately 1 ton per month. Having found out the cost of pellets in your region, you can easily calculate what winter will result in in a private house. The price is comparable to electric heating and still more expensive than natural gas. On the other hand, the ever-increasing tariffs for energy carriers suggest that the future belongs to pellet boilers.
Video review - pellet boiler 15 kW.
Results and conclusions
Started in 1979, the successful operation of solid fuel, including pellet boilers, gave excellent statistics. The use of advanced technologies for the production of equipment and raw materials has led to a significant increase in the quality, safety and efficiency of pellet boilers, not only comparable, but in many ways superior to other heating technologies.
V modern society more and more houses are built with autonomous systems heating, so the demand for woodfuel is steadily growing, as it is a natural and renewable source of thermal energy. Prices for pellets, due to the availability of raw materials, are quite stable, which cannot be said about other energy sources: here the pellet boiler becomes both an economically and environmentally justified solution.
The price of a pellet boiler depends on the heating area, but, as calculations show, the larger the area, the lower the payback period. For small areas, this period is three to four years, and for large areas - from one to two years.
The article was prepared with the participation of DOZATECH specialists
Despite the fact that our country is one of the largest exporters of blue fuel, one cannot speak of widespread gasification. For many consumers both in Moscow and Siberia, the most cheap way heating is still unattainable, and it is not a fact that it will be available in the future. Therefore, one has to search alternative sources heating, fortunately, the choice in this area is impressive. And in recent years, the range of heating equipment has been replenished with an interesting unit - a pellet boiler. Let us dwell on this type of equipment, for which we consider the following aspects:
- What is a pellet heating boiler and what fuel does it run on.
- Unit device.
- Advantages and disadvantages of a pellet boiler.
- What to look for when choosing a unit.
What is a pellet boiler
In fact, this is a kind of solid fuel boiler, but designed for a certain type of fuel (pellets) and with the possibility of full or partial automation of the workflow.
It is the ability to function offline with minimal intervention from the owners that pellet boilers are fundamentally different from conventional, solid fuel ones.
They have a higher efficiency factor (coefficient of performance) - both due to the characteristics of the pellets and due to the design features. Pellet boilers can be either highly specialized - designed only for pellets, or combined (universal) - capable of running on wood or coal, some models work on almost any biomass, husks, wood waste and the like can be used as fuel.
Alexander DimitrevRepresentative of DOZATECH, manufacturer of pellet boilers
With a certain design of the boiler, any biomass of very low calorific value can be burned in it - these are wood chips, bark, woodworking waste, agricultural waste, sunflower husks and more.
Pellets, or wood pellets, are an environmentally neutral fuel, obtained mainly from waste from the woodworking industry (chips, shavings, bark), but they can also be from crop waste. Pellets appeared in the thirties of the last century, when the first plant was invented and tested in Idaho for pressing waste from local sawmills into pellets. Under strong pressure, the raw mass is heated, which provokes the formation of lignin, which binds the smallest particles into dense, smooth granules. This allows you to refuse the use of chemicals - pellets are completely natural, safe, in terms of ecology, fuel. The diameter of the granules varies between 6-8 mm, the length is up to 50 mm. In European countries, pellets are standardized fuels and are produced according to the DIN plus standard.
In our country, their production is not so developed and supervised, the quality of the pellets, on which both the efficiency of the boiler and its performance will depend, is visually determined - white ones are better than gray ones. Unlike wood, pellets low humidity and increased density, due to which more heat is released during combustion and a minimum amount of carbon dioxide is released. If we translate this property into numbers, for comparison, we get the following ratio - when burning a ton of pellets, the same amount of heat will be released as when burning 1.6 tons of firewood. The ash content will be only 0.5% of the burned volume, and the emitted flue gases will be colorless.
The approximate calorific value of pellets is 5 kWh per kilogram, but how close the real efficiency will be to theoretical data depends on the quality of the pellets themselves and on the performance of the boiler in which they will be burned.
Unit device
The pellet boiler itself consists of three main components:
- Furnace - equipped with a special burner (retort or flare) and two doors (control, cleaning).
- Convective zone - a heat exchanger is located in it: it can be vertical, horizontal or combined, tubular or plate type. In the convective zone, the heat carrier is heated in the heat exchanger by gases released during the combustion of pellets. Most units are designed for heating only and have one circuit, but in some models there are two circuits: heating and water heating.
- Ash pan - combustion wastes enter it (insignificant during normal afterburning), which are periodically removed through the cleaning door.
However, the listed nodes are, although the main, but only a part, for which the APT prefix is \u200b\u200bneeded ( automatic feed fuel). This attachment includes the following components:
- Bunker - a container for pellets of a certain volume, from which the pellets enter the furnace, can be built-in or external.
- Auger - portionwise delivers granules to the burner as needed, driven by a gearbox.
- Fan - necessary to maintain the combustion process, since the boiler design does not provide for natural draft.
Since the pellet boiler is automated system, its device also includes a control unit with a display, which displays information about the current state, and through it the main operating parameters are set. The controller regulates the ignition of the burner, the supply of pellets and air, the stop, as it reaches desired temperature, maintaining the heating mode selected by the owner.
Depending on the capacity of the bunker and the selected mode, one backfill can last for several days, or a week or even more.
To make the heating process fully automatic, the boiler can be connected directly to the storage - the pneumatic tube will feed the pellets into the hopper as it is emptied.
Advantages and disadvantages of a pellet boiler
One of the main advantages of pellet boilers is efficiency, according to this indicator they are second only to gas main heating. This is due to the high efficiency of the equipment, and the high calorific value of pellets, and their affordable cost. The second aspect that attracts the consumer is process automation. Unlike other solid fuel boilers, pellet boilers do not need constant monitoring and regular manual fuel supply. In units running on diesel fuel, it also wins in terms of environmental friendliness - no smells and black smoke.
The main disadvantage of these units is a solid price - these are the most expensive solid fuels, the cost of an automated European-made station is measured in hundreds of thousands, domestic ones are a little cheaper. Not every private owner can afford such injections into the heating system of his house. However, given the durability of the equipment, which today is close to two decades, this is a wise investment in the long run.
In addition to the high cost, the disadvantages include volatility - automation needs electricity, and if a shutdown for several hours (up to 10 on average) is acceptable and does not knock down the settings, then a longer one will stop the boiler. The station must be equipped with an independent power source, which will further increase the cost of the system.
What to look for when choosing a unit
Despite the relative "youth" of this type of solid fuel, the market has a large selection of boilers of foreign and domestic production. To choose the best unit for your conditions, you should pay attention to several important parameters.
Power - each manufacturer has a fairly wide range of models, including both domestic and industrial units. As with any heating equipment, power is measured in kilowatts (kW), the power of household models starts from 15 kW. Since heating a room with average heat loss requires about 1 kW per 10 m², such a boiler is able to heat a house of 150 m². However, it should be borne in mind that the boiler is needed with a small margin.
In many regions, the problem of heating private houses is still relevant. Of course, on the modern market there is a huge range of equipment that uses a wide variety of materials as fuel, be it gas, wood, electricity or oil, etc. However, access to gas pipelines and stable power grids is far from being everywhere, so solid fuel heating remains the most preferable in many regions.
One of the best options solid fuel heating unit is a pellet boiler, which you can assemble with your own hands.
The unit in question is one of the modifications of an ordinary solid fuel boiler, optimized for operation using special pressed pellets as fuel.
- The used pellets are a very budgetary fuel, inferior in this indicator only to the main gas.
- By assembling a pellet boiler, you can provide economical and efficient heating of your own home.
- In addition, pellet boilers are one of the safest types of heating equipment for private use.
The principle of operation of the pellet boiler
As noted, such boilers use pellets as fuel, that is, granules from pressed wood chips, sawdust and other similar waste.
The operation of the boiler is based on an extremely simple principle. You load the pellets into a special hopper, from there they come in small portions through the auger to the burner, in which the pellets are burned.
Under the influence of a flame, water is heated in a special tank connected to the heating system.
The result is reliable, environmentally friendly and highly efficient heating at minimal cost.
Boiler advantages
Among the numerous advantages of pellet boilers, their durability should be noted. Steel units serve without problems up to 15-20 years without the need overhaul. If the boiler is assembled using cast iron, the durability indicator increases up to 50 years.
If desired, you can assemble both a non-volatile model of a pellet boiler that does not require a connection to the mains, or a full-fledged automated unit. In this regard, focus on your needs and preferences.
Boiler Assembly Manual
Pellet boilers have enough complex structure. The instructions for assembling them will also be difficult and multi-stage. For greater convenience, the assembly process of each main unit is considered separately. Buy or make the necessary elements, and then simply assemble them into a single system.
This element of the pellet boiler is highly recommended to buy ready-made. It is on the burner that you will spend the most money.
Self-manufacturing of the burner is almost impossible for the reason that this part of the boiler is not just a container for igniting loaded pellets, but a complex control and regulation mechanism.
Pellet burners are equipped with special sensors and have several pre-installed programs that allow you to achieve the most rational fuel consumption and provide the most efficient home heating.
Housing and heat exchanger
You can handle the assembly of the case and the manufacture of the heat exchanger yourself. The boiler body is best done horizontally - with this placement of the unit, maximum heating efficiency is achieved.
For the manufacture of the case, it is recommended to use fireclay bricks. You simply assemble a kind of box without a top cover and place a heat exchanger in it with connected pipes and other elements. Brick is recommended for the reason that it accumulates heat much more efficiently than cast iron, steel sheets and other popular materials.
The pellet boiler heat exchanger is a system of pipes interconnected and connected to the heat supply pipes of a private house.
First step. Assemble a heat exchanger from square pipes rectangular shape. To do this, cut the pipes into pieces of the desired length and weld them into a single structure.
Second step. Make holes in the profile that acts as a vertical rack for connecting round pipes.
Third step. Prepare holes in the remaining front pipes for the water outlet and connection pipes. Hot water will be discharged through the upper hole, cold - will be supplied from below.
Use metal pipes length from 150 mm. Next, you can use polypropylene pipes. In places where pipes are connected to the boiler, be sure to install ball valves. Additionally, you can set filters if you need them.
Fourth step. Weld the back of the unit to its front and weld the side pipes.
At the same stage, choose a convenient place for connecting a chimney pipe with a diameter of 10 cm. At the bottom of the heating unit, provide a small chamber for collecting ash. Also, the design of the pellet boiler necessarily includes a firebox. About him further.
fireman
In the firebox, as already noted, pellets are stored and from here they are fed into the burner.
First step. Prepare the necessary materials and fixtures. You will need an auger with a diameter of 7.5 or 10 cm, an electric motor and a metal casing. You will connect the engine to the pellet burner control unit.
The function of a metal casing can be performed by any container of a suitable volume with sufficiently thick walls.
Second step. Install the inlet of your auger into the outlet of the casing. To the other part of the auger, connect the corrugated plastic pipe for supplying granular fuel to the burner.
The burner sends a signal to the electric motor - it starts the auger - the combustion chamber of the pellet boiler is filled with the required amount of pellets.
In conclusion, you just have to assemble all the listed elements into a single design. Do this and proceed to the installation of the boiler.
Boiler installation
At this stage, you have to take care of the arrangement of the boiler room and the smoke exhaust system.
The floor and walls of the boiler room must be made of non-combustible material. The floor can be made of concrete. If desired, pave it with ceramic tiles.
Install the boiler strictly flat surface. Choose a location so that the distance from front side unit to the nearest wall was at least 100 cm. Select the distance from the other walls so that in the future it would be convenient for you to carry out preventive maintenance, maintenance and repair of equipment.
It is important that the air temperature in the boiler room does not fall below + 8- + 10 degrees.
Pay special attention to the arrangement of the smoke exhaust system. Not only the efficiency of the home-made pellet boiler, but also the safety of the residents of the house directly depends on the correctness and quality of the chimney.
In most cases, a pipe with a diameter of 10-11 cm is sufficient to effectively remove smoke. It is important that the diameter of the pipe slightly exceeds the diameter of the hole for removing smoke from the heating unit. The more powerful the boiler, the more massive the pipe should be.
Choose the length of the chimney so that it rises at least 50 cm above the roof of the building, preferably more.
For the manufacture of the chimney, use a sealed pipe. It is important that the pipe material does not support combustion and endures exposure to high temperatures.
The chimney must be insulated. To protect the pipe from atmospheric precipitation, install a protective cone on it.
In the lower part chimney make a hole to remove the condensate. For greater convenience, you can connect a tap to the hole. Also prepare a hole for cleaning the pipe from soot.
Starting up and maintaining the boiler
launch
The equipment can only be started after the pellet boiler has been installed and the appropriate pipes of the heating system have been connected to it. After the above tasks are completed, turn on the cold water supply to the heating system.
Watch the boiler work. If you have any kind of unusual symptoms, turn off the equipment and stop using it until troubleshooting.
Care
Homemade pellet boilers, as well as any other heating units, need appropriate care.
Empty the ash pan every 2-3 weeks. Clean the flue duct every 2-4 weeks. It will not take you long to do this, but ignoring such simple maintenance will significantly reduce the efficiency of the boiler and make the equipment potentially unsafe.
If desired, additional automation equipment can be connected to the pellet boiler. This will make the operation of the equipment more convenient - you can simply forget about the need to reload fuel and other related activities for a while.
Modern automation tools even allow you to adjust remote control heating unit, which is also very convenient.
And these are not the only possible additions. How do you, for example, self-cleaning systems for boilers? Be sure to study the available modifications and, if desired, buy such additions for your boiler.
You can assemble a simple pellet boiler with your own hands, following the instructions received earlier.
Successful work!
Video - Pellet heating boilers
Video - The principle of operation of a pellet boiler
Pellet boilers are a modern type of heating equipment for the home that meets all the requirements of fire and technical safety, combined with the efficiency of operating modes.
Principle of operation, design
Pellets are granulated, compressed wood processing products. Pellet devices are one of the varieties. Depending on the area that the boiler is able to serve is determined.
Boilers are of three types:
- Working only on pellets.
- Having alternative reserve types of fuel: firewood and briquettes (provide additional work for several hours).
- Combined boiler with several combustion chambers, the same indicators operation of the boiler on several types of fuel.
Pellet boiler is made thick-walled stainless steel. The device of the pellet boiler includes:
- boiler with burner;
- a conveyor feeding granules into the chamber;
- bunker where fuel is stored.
The principle of operation of the equipment is consistent. Initially, pellets are poured into the bunker, from there they are poured into the furnace with the help of a screw conveyor, where they are burned. The gases released during combustion are subjected to several stages of combustion (two or three) in different chambers, which ensures the complete exhaustion of the resource of the pellets. Pellet heaters have very high rate Efficiency - up to 98%.
The heat exchanger, which is made of steel or cast iron, is equipped with an automatic electronic system management. The coolant temperature is regulated by supplying a certain amount of fuel for combustion. Pellet feeding is programmed with clear settings. You can pre-set the function of switching the combustion mode from one type of fuel to another. If the main type is over, the device automatically ignites firewood prepared in a separate firebox or works on coal.
It is very easy to maintain at home. The main point is the level of granules in the bunker. One load can be enough for several days (2-14), it all depends on the volume of the bunker. It is required to regularly clean the ash pan from the ashes.
Read also: Two boilers in one heating system
Installation conditions
- A long-burning pellet boiler must be installed in a separate room of a private house - a boiler room (basement, extension).
- The floor covering in the room must be of non-combustible material.
- The space of the boiler room should be enough to accommodate a device with a bunker, a water boiler and other devices, as well as the possibility of servicing the necessary elements and repairing them.
- The premises must have ventilation duct, the air should not be humid.
Pellet feeding mode
The automatic mode for feeding pellets into the furnace can be set several days in advance, if the volume of the bunker allows. Fuel is saved, and the necessary climate in the house is created. The operating mode of the long-burning heating unit can be controlled manually or using a remote control.
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