Of all Alternative Energy Appliances Wood Pellet Boilers and Stoves are gaining rapid popularity in the cold weather climates the world over due to their high efficiency.

At the same time one hears about health hazards attributed to Wood Pellets, Stoves and Boiler emissions now and then. A deeper analysis of these claims therefore could benefit a lot of existing as well as intended users.

Some of the claims against Wood pellet Boiler usage extracted from the web are listed below;

• Wood Pellets crack and break down during transport therefore they will have saw dust and when dispersed and ignited may lead to dust explosion under appropriate conditions of containment.

Comments: The fact is, for cracking and breaking down a significant quantity, a long voyage should be undertaken. Generally the wood pellets are disposed within a close locality due to the high demand within the European Community. (USEPA acknowleges up to a half cup volume per a bag of pellets).The claim also refers to unspecified conditions for such explosions. Such occurrence will be far and between if at all. Wood Pellet boilers are not a novel product and have been in existence since the last 70s and appear to have proved their case convincingly.

• Stored Bulk piles of Wood Pellet can self heat in parts with high moisture content and it is reported that the process can lead to the oxidation after a long period of storage

Comments: The first requirement advised by the manufacturers to the client is that the wood pellets should be stored in a dry place. The ready to use units being marketed for wood pallets are just that (some are even meant for out door use!).Wood pallets are manufactured generally to DIN or US standards which do not allow more than 1% moisture for Premium Grade and on top of that the pallets are highly dense. They in fact will sink down in water. Unless the user has been callous and grossly negligent, occurrence of moisture in the product is very remote. I am yet to hear of any case histories in this regard.

• In addition to combustion hazards wood pellets also undergo Oxidation to produce CO and CO2. In closed spaces such as an unventilated ships cargo holds this can lead to dangerous reduction in O2 levels and build up of toxic and flammable CO gas. Levels of 1% CO and less 1% O2 were observed after 11 days loading in a recent survey.

Comments: The readings indicate the end results only and hasten to make a conclusion. The control and initial levels are not stated. Therefore how can any such inference be valid?

• CO is produced when wood products are burned in reduced O2 environments but the low temperature emissions of gas from wood products are not in line .It has been suggested by Svedberg that the gas is generated by auto oxidation of Fats and Fatty Acids in the wood.

Comment: The references are to wood products and is not specific.
Relating the statement to Wood Pellets does not sound right!

Wood Pellet boilers and stoves are highly efficient and are nearly 85 % (some claim it is up to 95 %!). Naturally when there is a fall of traditional markets this type claims surface. In these times of recession indigenous fuel products with high efficiencies are far a better an option than fossil fuels on any day.