APPENDIX E: COMBUSTION BASICS

An understanding of Combustion Basics will assist in resolving problems with a variety of fuels, changing product and environmental conditions during the operational life of a stove. Just exactly what are pellet or corn stove products suppose to do?

PROVIDE A CONVENIENT PLACE FOR STORAGE OF FUEL.

PROVIDE FOR CONTROLLING IGNITION, FUEL, COMBUSTION AIR

PROVIDE CONTROLLING HEAT FROM FIREBOX TO HEAT EXCHANGER.

CONTROL SYSTEM TEMPERATURE.

OPERATE SYSTEM EFFICIENTLY TO MINIMIZE WASTE.

ENSURE SAFETY FEATURES PROTECT USER AND SURROUNDING AREA.

Some standard terminology is required in order to discuss Combustion Basics. This terminology is reasonably standard throughout the different industries. The following terms should be part of a stove owner’s vocabulary and a basic understanding of these items is a must in maintaining a stove system:

Ash content: Refers to the non-combustible materials in a fuel, which reduce the heating value per unit of weight.

Biomass: All forms of organic matter, including wood, agricultural crops and residues, animal dung and human waste.

Carbon

Dioxide: A heavy colorless gas that does not support combustion and dissolves in water to form carbonic acid.

Carbon

Monoxide: A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion. Incomplete burning of wood pellets will create this gas.

Combustion: Combustion refers to the rapid oxidation of fuel accompanied by the production of heat, or heat and light. Complete combustion of a fuel is possible only in the presence of an adequate supply of oxygen. Chemical reaction between a fuel and oxygen that usually takes place in air. Combustion is commonly referred to as burning.

Combustion

Air: The amount of air required inside the combustion chamber to create a burn. Combustion air, for this manual, is defined as the amount of air required to ensure 100% burn of all fuel present in the burn chamber.

Combustion

Efficiency: Calculated measurement (in percent) of how well the heating equipment is converting a specific fuel into useable heat energy at a specific period of time in the operation of a heating system.

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