Using biomass without the need for works or technical assistance is already possible thanks to a refractory brazier
Clean, efficient and ecological. The pellet seems tailor-made for these times of climatic emergency and economic crisis. It is the fashionable fuel. Even more so now, with the very strong increase in the electricity bill and the threat of power cuts in Europe by Russia. One of the few handicaps of the pellet was that it could only be used in special stoves and boilers, but A French invention, an innovative refractory brazier, has arrived to eliminate this problem: from now on it will be possible to use pellets in any wood-burning stove or fireplace.
Wood heating provides a warm atmosphere in the house and an atmosphere that cannot be found with any other system. But trunks are not practical: you have to cut them, dry them, transport them, they dirty the house and you have to have a place to store them, as stated in the specialized portal Ecoinventos.
Pellets are much easier to handle and store; no need to cut them; are much more ecological than gas, coal, diesel and wood; Y generate less ashes than wood burning fireplaces.
In addition, despite the significant price increase recorded in recent months, they continue to be much cheaper than gas, diesel and electricity. And they are even more so since this last Saturday, when the Government’s decision to reduce its VAT from 21% to 5% was applied.
The change in this tax, which initially will be in force until December 31, will mean a estimated savings for consumers of 19.4 million euros, according to the calculations of the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU). The lowering of the tax seeks to partially offset the rise in the price of pellets, which has been 67% in the last year.
practical solution
Back to the invention, Dominique Chenais, a professional in pellet stoves and fireplaces for three decades, is the author of the contraption. “The idea for this brazier came to me as a result of requests from some clients who had a wood-burning fireplace at home and asked me if it was possible to burn wood pellets in it & rdquor ;, he says.
thought it would be a practical solution for those who don’t want to or can’t handle heavy logs, or for floors with problems storing firewood. Through his company, BFC Confort, he then created what he calls ‘pellet stove‘, which is actually a brazier, a basket made of steel and with different sizes and shapes, which is placed directly on the fireplace.
The inventor specifies, however, that this heating method remains complementary to other systems. Not intended to be used as a primary method of heatingexcept when temperatures are not yet too cold.
The first model was made of cast iron and was only sold at fairs. The new model is made of steel, much lighter and more accessible, and can be purchased on the company’s website. Prices range from 310 to 420 euros, although a complete patio fireplace is also offered for 1,440 euros.
The inventor believes that his refractory brazier is ideal for giving a new life to fireplaces and wood stoves without the need for work, modification or technical assistance. As noted on the BFC Confort website, the brazier with capacities of between 3 and 7 kilos of pellets, provides 3 to 6 hours of heating.
High calorific power
The pellets are small cylinders between 6 and 10 millimeters in length, made from dry sawdust, without additives. It is a type of biomass left over from biological or mechanical processes. For example, from the shavings and pieces of wood that are discarded when making furniture. They have a high calorific power (4,180 calories/kg).
Why is this heating system so much more ecological than gas, diesel, electric systems, coal or wood? The reason is that the CO2 balance of the pellet is neutral, since trees absorb CO2 during their growth. Therefore, after combustion, what is emitted is CO2 with air.
Several reports have concluded that using pellets instead of natural gas or coal can reduce the carbon footprint by up to 90%. Furthermore, according to some estimates, the use of pellets can reduce heating bills in homes by up to 50%.
Pellet consumption has skyrocketed in recent years, especially in the single-family residential sector, the main user of this biofuel. In 2021, more than 700,000 tons of pellets were consumed in Spainfour times what it was ten years ago.
Everything indicates that this year more than 800,000 tons will be produced and that the sector will grow between 30% and 40% this year. A pellet stove has an average cost of around 2,000 euros, although the price varies depending on the model. Dominique Chenais’s attempt cuts spending noticeably.
Reference article: https://ecoinventos.com/estufa-de-pellets/
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