Moisture
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Moisture |
- Minimum 22% moisture content (EU Standard) Typically around 35% or more.
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- Maximum 8% moisture content (EU Standard)
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Storage and Fuel Delivery |
Storage and Fuel Delivery |
- Requires typically 3 times the storage capacity or more frequent deliveries
- Capital costs for storage are generally higher because of higher volume of chip and in most cases the need for agitation of the irregular size and high moisture content of chip.
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- Requires less storage capacity and deliveries.
- Storage costs are lower due to the energy density of pellets and rarely requires agitation.
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Maintenance |
Maintenance |
- Generally require more routine maintenance if quality control on fuel supply is not maintained. Quality control is harder to ensure for chips than pellets.
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- Less maintenance required with a range of very high quality fully automated boilers now in the market place.
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Cost of Chips
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Cost of Pellets |
- Chips are cheaper per tonne but are less energy dense.
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- Pellets are more expensive per tonne but are more energy dense.
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Overall Cost
Specific valuations are required with reference to the boiler site, its distance to the source of fuel, the quality and reliability of the fuel source and capital cost of the fuel system. |
