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Gasification Boilers

Steve Ebels_3
Steve Ebels_3 Member Posts: 1,291
in THE MAIN WALL
Check the spec's on the water to air HX and size it for your design load at about 160* water temp. This will give you a little "cushion" and allow the system to provide adequate heat when the water temp is on the low side.

Designing for wood is different because you have neither a fixed output burner or a fixed water temp. You have to build some "slush" into the system to accommodate the variables.

It has to start with a good heat loss calc.

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown


    Anybody have experience connecting a Tarm gasification boiler to a FHA system, using water to air HX,and their storage tank system? Things to watch out for, tips or suggestion would be appreciated
  • Steve Ebels_3
    Steve Ebels_3 Member Posts: 1,291
    Gasification wood boilers

    Basic things I would suggest.....

    Within reason, the more storage the better up to a point. No sense in trying to "store" 3-4 days worth of heat. The standby losses will get the best of you.

    Size your Tarm as close as possible to your maximum load without going over. A gasifier like to run long and hot. Shutting the fire down costs efficiency and may result in a nasty creosote problem if your wood isn't seasoned properly. (Shoot for less than 25% moisture content) If you haven't already done so, run a heat loss calc on your house to determine the size of boiler you need.

    Pipe in some sort of dump zone which will gravity flow if the power goes off or your circ quits in the midst of a burn.

    Don't use pex within at least 15 feet of the boiler or before your "dump zone" is taken off the main piping. It really does not like the water temps that a wood boiler can generate.

    Did I mention less than 25% moisture content for the wood?

    A good place to post that question is in the "boiler room" at www.hearth.com. Lot's of wood burning experience there albeit most by trial and error.

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Steve Ebels

    Thanks for you reply. House is 2x6 construction,good windows,doors, and storms and well insulated. FHA furnace has a heating capacity of 112,000 BTUH. Tarm add on boiler 100,000 BTUH will have a 600 gal storage tank. Looking for any input you may have for water to air HX,plenum size is approximately 20"x24" Thanks again for your help, Ernie.
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