Bio-combustibles :: part one

New Heat Plant that doesn't cost the earth

Before the Restoration Project the Mill never had a heating system, other than the small wood-burning stove in the Milling area. We installed the present wet system to heat the lower two storeys. It's a gas-guzzler! It's very inefficient, difficult to regulate and also very expensive to run in the winter. I'm sure most people know this only too well.

Following a recent survey carried out by the Biomass Project Manager for Creative Environmental Networks, it looks feasible for us to get rid of the old boiler of the current system and replace with an environmentally friendly biomass boiler, a mini ‘power-plant. This could burn cereal grains which are not for human consumption, forest wood chips as well as industrial wood chips, wood pellets, also logs and is one of the most flexible systems available. The literature of the preferred system even describes the use of rape, sawdust, and coal among other fuel possibilities.

Of the cereal crops oats have been found to be the best type of grain to use. Wheat can also be good when mixed with 1% limestone flour. A corn mill using grain also as an efficient fuel source makes an interesting connection and another good educational link for our Eco Project.

The biomass twin heat system has in-built fuel stirrer and auger-feed, computer control and sensors, water-cooled combustion tube as well as other safety devices including a sprinkler system.

It is so versatile that it will be able to deal with both the present low demand of the Mill and later a larger peak demand once we complete the new project which includes heating the renovated cottages too. This will obviously depend on the levels of efficiency of each building, but the potential is there!

It'’s likely we are eligible for Low Carbon grant funding and we are also looking into other sources before looking at the full spec. However, at the moment it IS looking optimistic and achievable.