Biomass Furnace Charges: Large vs. Small
Large and Small furnace charges differ mainly in particle size: the former are coarse, the latter fine. Their production requirements and combustion applications vary significantly.
In production, Large furnace charges require less fine crushing of raw materials (e.g., wood chips, straw) — moderate crushing suffices. They are compatible with industrial ring die pelletizers, featuring lower extrusion resistance, less energy consumption, and lower cost. In contrast, Small furnace charges need finer raw material crushing (to avoid die clogging), typically using smaller ring die or flat die pelletizers. High-pressure extrusion is required, leading to higher energy consumption, faster die wear, and overall higher costs.
For applications, Large furnace charges have lower density and better air permeability, making them ideal for large industrial boilers and biomass power plants. Their spacious furnaces benefit from smooth airflow (preventing material collapse) and longer burning times, meeting continuous large-scale heating or power generation needs. Small furnace charges, with higher density and hardness, are better suited for small household heaters and small commercial boilers. In compact furnaces, they burn more fully with stable flames, higher thermal efficiency, less coking, and faster ignition — perfect for on-demand heating in small spaces.