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Maintenance and operating procedures are similar to oil or gas boilers with
the exception of some cleaning every one or two months
Wood combustion produces about 0.5 – 1.5% by weight of ash depending on
fuel quality. This ash collects in an ash pan under the grate. It has to be
removed manually in regular intervals depending upon heating demand.
Automatic de-ash systems into a large ash bin (see Figure 7) reduce the
amount of work required but the ashbin still requires removal and emptying
periodically. This ash is safe for use as a soil fertilizer. It should be noted that
all KSM boilers are fitted with automatic de-ash as standard. Boilers that
incorporate cyclone separators trap minute particles passing through the
boiler. Depending upon the operating conditions these separators will need
cleaning every three to six months. For manually operated boilers the
boilerplates and tubes will need to be scraped clean every six months to a
year. Chimney flues will collect deposits of the tar and soot depending upon
operating conditions. It is therefore advised that flues are checked annually
and swept clean as necessary, which may be once a year or every two years.
Motor and auger bearings need checking twice every year and greased
according to the manufacturers specifications.
Environmental Considerations
Subject to Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 (PPC)
Installation uses the Best Available Techniques (BAT) in the design and
operation of the plant to prevent pollution
Institutional and Regulatory Consideration or Requirements
Subject to both the Waste Incineration Directive (WID) and the Pollution
Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 (PPC)
The WID applies to all incineration and co-incineration plants. Co-incineration
includes installations where waste is used as a fuel where energy generation
is the main purpose.
All co-incinerators that fall within the WID are also subject to control under the
PPC. Larger plant will be regulated by the Environment Agency under Part A
(1) of Section 5.1 and smaller plant will be regulated by the local authority
under Part A(2) of Section 5.1. Part A(2) applies to plant burning non-
hazardous waste with a capacity of less than 1 Tonne per hour.
If a plant or ‘installation’ comes under the PPC Regulations then there must
be an application made to operate such a facility.
Examples of Real Life Applications
Commercial use Biomass Heating System Unit 20, The Acorn Centre,
Chestnut Ave., Biggleswade, Beds, SG18 0ra
