Understanding biomass boilers

Biomass boilers are steam or hot water generators that use alternative fuel (biomass) as opposed to petroleum fuels like natural gas, liquid propane and different kinds of oil.

 

These biomass boilers have already gained significant traction in Europe, where greenhouse technology is often more progressive than what goes on stateside, according to Gene Zebley, renewable energy system sales for Hurst Boiler. The trend has many savvy American and Canadian greenhouse operators investigating and investing in biomass boilers.

 

 

First, biomass boilers use a renewable resource as a fuel. The boilers can run off pellets or extra bits from saw mills and lumber yards.

 

“If we diverted the clean biomass going into landfills right now, we’d never need to touch a tree to create fuel for biomass boilers,” Zebley says.

 

The problem is that biomass is not always readily accessible for every grower, but as the nation moves toward more eco-friendly energy sources, that is slowly changing. More subsidies are being offered by the federal government and some state governments than there were in previous years. And biomass suppliers are increasing in size and infrastructure.

 

“The other biggest advance in applying biomass boilers to growing greenhouses is the implementation of large heat sinks and big water tanks. A greenhouse needs energy when the sun goes down and doesn’t need it, as much, when the sun comes up,” Zebley says.  “It’s an on-and-off operation. To provide the heat for greenhouses during a relatively short period of time requires several large boilers, depending on the size of the greenhouse.”

 

If growers also started heating a water tank for 24 hours a day, and kept it at temperature so that each greenhouse could draw heat from the tank as needed, they could reduce the size of the boilers needed.

 

Ultimately, the main benefit of converting to biomass boilers is the savings generated on fuel expenses.

 

“If you’re paying $3 a gallon for delivered Number Two Oil, then most growers who purchase a smaller biomass boiler are looking at a return on investment of five to six years,” Zebley says.