Burning biomass pellets will result in ash and sometimes a clinker, depending on which biomass the pellet is made from.
Ash
As stated in earlier posts fast growing biomass, for instance energy crops like Miscanthus will produce more ash than wood, but no biomass converted into pellets results in the ash levels from burning coal.
Maintenance levels with regards to ash are dependant on two factors, one which biomass the pellet is made from, and two what the pellets are burning in. If the pellets are burning in a pellet stove compared to a pellet boiler, you will have to empty the ash pan of the stove more often as they are generally smaller.
Biomass ash is a useful commodity and I will talk about this soon.
Clinker
Some biomass because of its low ash melting point will create a clinker. Biomass clinkers are similar to coal clinkers, however they are not as hard, so are easier to break down. When purchasing a boiler, clinker problems should be considered. If the pellet burner does not have automatic features to remove clinkers, then look for a unit that has good access to the burner chamber, so you can easily remove a clinker when required.
Heat Exchanger Tubes
Heat exchanger tubes are where the hot air from burning the pellets heats the water in your boiler, or stove. These tubes will get coated in ash, so require cleaning. Some units have automatic ash cleaning, with moving springs that move up and down the tubes removing the ash. Again if the unit does not have automatic features, easy access is very important for manual maintenance.
Pellet Burner Location
Depending on the biomass pellets you are burning and if you pellet burner has automatic maintenance features, burner location should be considered. For example if you place a manual maintenance unit in the kitchen for example, consideration should be taken if you are happy to be cleaning the unit in that area.
Thank you for your interest
