How a Biomass Boiler Works

How the biomass boiler works depends on which type you choose. At Linka we have three different kinds of biomass boilers for straw and other biomaterials. The three types are mobile boiler systems, steam installations, and heating plants. Our products are optimal for district heating plants and other energy-producing companies as well as estates and industrial companies that need installations of a certain size. Private individuals can probably have a biomass boiler for straw etc. at home, but a boiler system like that will have a smaller output as well as take up less space and have a smaller capacity.

When looking at our three different types of biomass boiler systems, a common feature is that they have an efficiency level of up to 95.9 %. The three types of boilers vary in terms of size, as they are available in 250 to 5,000 kilowatts, 400 to 15,000 kilowatts and 1,000 to 15,000 kilowatts. Each of the types can be customized and scaled up or down, so they fit somewhere in those intervals.

Before the biomass boiler is chosen and installed, it is also important to think about how much space it takes up, and where it can be placed. Furthermore, there need to be sources for power and water, so the boiler system can be installed without problems.

As Linka’s biomass boilers are suitable for bigger companies such as district heating plants, industrial companies, and bigger farms/estates, we focus on how biomass boilers of a significant size work. As an example, we have chosen a mobile biomass boiler (for e.g. straw), that ranges in size from 250 to 5,000 kilowatts.

A biomass boiler like that is ready to be used, and it is delivered in a container, which is either standardized or customized. Next to the container, the additional parts of the boiler system are placed. These parts include straw cutter, ash container, and chimney.

How does our mobile biomass boiler work? It works by having straw or other biomaterials enter the installation. The biomaterial is burned in the boiler, which is often intended for water with an operating pressure of 4 bars. Inside the boiler, turbulence is created by supplied air. This causes the biomaterial to burn more effectively, and the gasses created in the process are burned completely.

The heat from the burning process creates heated air/smoke, and this energy can be stored by transferring it to water or steam, and it can be used by e.g. district heating plants.

Dust is led out of the system, but as it is most often filtered, the amount of dust is decreased significantly. When the straw (or other biomaterial) has been burned in the boiler (which is either with 3 or 5 passes), only a bit of ash remains. The ash is transported out of the system and is collected in a container, which can easily be emptied.

Our various biomass boilers have a big energy output, as straw (and other biomaterials) provide a big calorific value. Straw is also cheap to get, and there isn’t a shortage of it (contrary to other types of fuel).

The system transforms biofuel to energy via the process that takes place inside the plant. The primary driving force in this process is the boiler (or boilers). The plant produces energy, heat, smoke, and ash, and the heated air plays a big part in the further process with heating, burning, and turbulence, and this makes the process even more efficient.

At an affordable price you get inexpensive heating, and our mobile plants are e.g. installed at the following companies: Aneby AMAQ (Sweden) and Lahaugmoen Næringspark (Norway). Our other systems (steam plants and heating plants for straw etc.) have been installed at companies such as Yester Farm Dairies (Scotland), Tine Meieriet Elnesvågen (Norway), Boulstrup-Hou Kraftvarmeværk (Denmark) and Hjallerup Fjernvarme (Denmark).

For example, Hjallerup Fjernvarme got a plant of 3,000 kilowatts installed, and it is their primary source of heating for seven months a year, when solar energy isn’t enough. With a system from Linka, companies such as Hjallerup Fjernvarme contribute to decreasing the environmental impact, and it is also a cheaper solution for their consumers.

If you buy a biomass boiler from Linka, we will help you install it, and we will also provide consultancy regarding biomass boiler maintenance. Our plants are automatic and they only need maintenance now and then.

Some of the maintenance you can do yourself, but if you need service for your plant or extensive biomass boiler maintenance, you are welcome to contact us. You can read more about maintenance and service of biomass boilers (for straw and other biomaterials) here on our site.