Pellet boiler for single-riser steam?

scrook_2

a job for coal! ;-)
I suppose a pellet stoker/boiler could be similar to a coal stoker/boiler but anyone make one in residential sizes?

Saw (outside the bldg anyway) a woodchip fired steam boiler plant (built mid 1980's) recently -- supplies district steam to Univ of Idaho's physical plant in Moscow, ID. Woodchip biproduct of loging industry make it an attractive fuel at least at that scale. Would have loved to tour it, but was just in/out over a weekend, maybe if I'm ever out there again.

from: http://www.dfm.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=81444

The Steam Plant is located on the north side of campus. Plant operation is maintained 24-hours per day, 7-days per week, and 365-days per year to provide steam for heating, cooling, and various process requirements. There are three operational steam boilers; one wood fired, and two natural gas fired, which produce over 330 million pounds of steam annually. Steam is supplied to the majority of the campus core buildings via the utility tunnel system. About 90% of the steam is produced by wood fuel, which is a renewable resource. The steam is generated at 150 psig and distributed at 60 psig. Future plans for the Steam Plant include the potential to add co-generation (creation of supplemental electric supply by steam or natural gas equipment). Central compressed air for laboratory use and HVAC controls is also produced at the Steam Plant. Compressed air is also distributed to campus in the utility tunnels. Mike Lyngholm is the Steam Plant Manager.

Here's a small photo and article:
http://www.forestnet.com/timberwest/archives/July_Aug_04/wood_power.htm

John_207

Pellet boiler for single-riser steam?

The current boiler is about 30 years old, and I'm thinking of replacing it. With oil at $4/gallon, I was wondering if there's a pellet, or even a mixed-fuel alternative. I have found nothing on Google or in Thomas Register. Anybody have any ideas?

Rich Kontny_3

How

About researching the possibilty of a modified coal stoker that targets pellets a little better in a solid fuel boiler. Steam will be a challenge as you cannot let it go out. I think it was Tarm that had a dual fuel boiler that fired gas or oil through the door while using wood as the primary fuel.

I will look into this as the concept sounds doable. The initial cost may be a liitle excessive though.

Rich K.