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Pellets for solid fuel boilers: varieties and prices

Pellets for solid fuel boilers are a great choice for consumers, due to their competitive prices and wide variety of options. Pelletized fuels are a stable, consistent source of heat due to their ability to burn completely and produce little ash. They are also relatively easy to store and transport, are safer than conventional fuels, and produce fewer emissions. Prices vary depending on the type of pellets and the supplier, but wood pellets are usually the most economical. With all these benefits, pellets are an excellent fuel source for solid fuel boilers.

Pellets for solid fuel boilers: varieties and prices

We have already briefly touched on pellets when we studied different types of fuel for fireplaces, which can be an alternative to the usual wood. Now let’s talk in more detail about fuel granules, which have become quite popular, environmentally friendly fuel and are used not only in everyday life..

Immediately, we note that pellets for boilers can be of very different sizes. The diameter can vary from 4 to 10 mm, and the length is from 3.15 to 50 mm. The most common pellets are 6–8 mm in diameter..

Important! When choosing pellets by size, you need to be guided by the instructions for your specific solid fuel boiler. Manufacturers indicate what diameter and length of granules their equipment is designed for. Too large pellets can increase the load on the elements of the heater mechanics, as a result, the service life of the boiler will decrease and the efficiency will decrease. The automation of the heat generator is designed to supply air for granules of a specific size, we must not forget about this.

Pellets for solid fuel boilers: varieties and prices

Currently, pellets are made from the following raw materials:

  • Wood. This is the most common type of pellets, it is he who is recommended for use in domestic heating boilers. Sawdust, wood, chips and bark can be used to make pellets. It is the bark that influences the color of the granules. White pellets are valued higher, they have less ash content, but gray ones can also be used in everyday life for heating. Let’s deal with the wood pellet classes below;

Pellets for solid fuel boilers: varieties and prices

Pellets for solid fuel boilers: varieties and prices

  • Straw. Straw pellets are produced in regions where this raw material simply does not find any other use. In the southern regions, the straw often has to be disposed of anyway, and making pellets helps to cope with this problem. Straw pellets are inferior to wood pellets in terms of heat transfer, but they are usually cheaper, especially if the production is located next to agricultural enterprises growing wheat and other grains;
  • Sunflower husks. This is another type of agricultural waste that is often not used. The disadvantage of pellets from sunflower husks is oiliness and increased ash content, so the boiler will have to be cleaned more often. However, the heat transfer from husk pellets is quite high;

Pellets for solid fuel boilers: varieties and prices

  • Reed. Such pellets are in no way inferior in terms of heat transfer to straw ones, they have a low cost and a pleasant smell during combustion, which allows them to be used in fireplaces;
  • Peat. Peat pellets are characterized by high ash content and are mostly used in industrial heating; it is an inexpensive fuel, because raw materials are available in many regions;
  • Vegetable pellets can also include buckwheat husk and corn cob granules. This is a good way to use agricultural waste, the products are inexpensive, but they are inferior to wood pellets in terms of heat transfer;
  • Pellets are also made from chicken manure, but this option is much more often used as fertilizer than fuel;
  • You can make pellets from solid household waste, but they are also usually used exclusively in industry;
  • Granules are separated from coal and waste paper separately.

Pellets for solid fuel boilers: varieties and prices

What you should pay attention to when choosing pellets, in addition to raw materials and sizes:

  • The moisture level of the optimal granular fuel should not exceed 8%. For some types of pellets, for example, peat, this figure can reach 14%, higher figures are no longer welcome;
  • Calorific value, calorific value. For wood pellets, it is about 4.5–5 kcal / kg. For example, for buckwheat husk pellets, this figure will be 4.3 kcal / kg, which is also very good;
  • The ash content of fuel for domestic boilers should not exceed 1%. This is already quite a lot, “premium-class” wood pellets have an ash content of no more than 0.5%, which makes it possible to clean the boiler no more than once a month. The higher the ash content, the more often the equipment will have to be cleaned;
  • Quality pellets do not have cracks on their surface, it should be shiny. This is an indicator that the pressing and drying of raw materials have gone through the appropriate technology. In addition, the pellets must be hard, difficult to break, this will prevent the appearance of small crumbs;
  • An easy way to check the quality of the pellets is to put them in water. Monolithic, solid granules will sink, and then gradually turn into a soggy mass. If the pellets do not dissolve in water, it means that chemical glue has been added to them. There is a risk of toxic gases being emitted when using such fuels. Sediment at the bottom will show the presence of sand, small stones and other impurities that reduce the quality of the fuel;
  • It is safer to purchase pellets from large producers who receive raw materials from one supplier. This guarantees product consistency.

Important! In any case, the products must have a quality certificate indicating such important parameters as ash content, moisture content, heat transfer, and granule sizes. Be sure to require this document from the supplier when buying pellets for your solid fuel boiler.

Pellets for solid fuel boilers: varieties and prices

As for wood pellets, as the most popular variety for household use, the lighter their shade, the higher the quality. There are white, gray, brown wood pellets, their ash content can vary from 0.29% to 0.73%. You can use all types, the highest quality is considered to have the European standard EnPlus and DinPlus.

Pellets for solid fuel boilers: varieties and prices

The price of white wood pellets, as the highest quality, with high heat transfer and low ash content, will be about 8-8.5 thousand rubles per ton. Gray pellets of slightly worse quality, but also quite suitable for use in everyday life, will cost about 4-6.5 thousand rubles per ton.

Important! Pellets can be sold packaged in bags of 5, 15 or 25 kg or in tons, in big bags (polypropylene bags of large capacity). Packing in small bags will cost significantly more.

A ton of sunflower husk pellets can cost 3.5 thousand rubles, a ton of straw pellets will cost about the same.

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Comments: 1
  1. Henry Parker

    What are the different types of pellets available for solid fuel boilers and how do their prices vary?

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