Monday 26 November 2012

Wood pellets and carbon monoxide poisoning

We have been alerted to new guidance from the HSE relating to carbon monoxide poisoning and wood pellets and specifically the storage of wood pellets.

The precautions suggested are practical and low cost.  Good design can mitigate the risk and training of operatives is essential.

What is carbon monoxide? 

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that is highly toxic. When carbon monoxide enters the body, it prevents the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues, and organs. It can kill quickly without warning. See Wikipedia and Carbonmonoxidekills for more details.

How many deaths have been linked to wood pellets? 

Since 2002 there have been at least nine fatalities in Europe caused by carbon monoxide poisoning following entry into wood pellet storage areas. Although there have not been any incidents so far in the UK the use of wood pellets is increasing and awareness of this danger is required.

Fatalities caused by the release of carbon monoxide from wood pellets have previously been reported in Europe following personnel entering ships cargo holds (four) or storage silos (two).

Since 2010 there have also been three deaths caused by entry into wood pellet storage facilities in domestic sites. Two were associated with a work activity and the other was a householder. In each case, the entry had been to resolve a technical problem.


Background to wood pellets

Wood pellets are made from dried and milled sawdust and wood shavings that have been compressed into pellets, typically 10-20mm long and 3-12mm in diameter. They do not typically contain any additives or binders.

They are classed as a biofuel, a non-fossil heating fuel. The main countries of manufacture are Canada, North America and the Scandinavian countries within Europe. In 2000, the annual production of wood pellets in Europe and North America was about 1.5 million tons. This was expected to increase to around 16 million tons by 2011. Some wood pellet manufacture is now taking place in the UK.

Factors affecting the amount of carbon monoxide released from wood pellets


Wood pellets for boilers are normally stored in a large sealed hopper/tank or a storage room that has a screw feeder (auger) connected to the boiler. Alternatively, the hopper/tank can be mounted over the boiler for gravity feeding. 

Due to the enclosed nature of these hoppers/tanks/rooms, the atmosphere inside can become oxygen depleted and a toxic atmosphere containing carbon monoxide can accumulate. The chemical reactions responsible for carbon monoxide production from wood pellets are assumed to be an auto-oxidation process, especially oxidation of the fatty acids to be found in wood4.

Experimentation has shown that small quantities of wood pellets can produce life-threatening quantities of carbon monoxide in a confined space and that there are various factors that will affect the amount of carbon monoxide produced:

  • Age: Pellets will produce more carbon monoxide within the first six weeks of being manufactured.
  • Temperature: More carbon monoxide is produced at higher temperatures.
  • Wood type: Pellets made from pine contain more unsaturated fatty acids than spruce so produce more carbon monoxide.
  • Other factors: Carbon monoxide levels will also increase with the amount of available oxygen present, exposed pellet surface area and amount of mechanical abrasion of the pellets that has taken place.
  • Note: In addition to the risk of carbon monoxide from wood pellets there is also a possibility of carbon monoxide being present because of a back-flow of flue gases via the fuel supply mechanism from the boiler. Causes for this include inadequate equipment being installed or a poorly designed flue.

Action required

The HSE is advising all those who use, install, maintain or distribute wood pellet boilers and/or manufacture/store/distribute wood pellets to consider the following:
  • Wood pellet hoppers/tanks/storage rooms and boilers should always be installed and commissioned by a competent person, normally approved by the manufacturer/supplier. This is particularly important if the installation involves the replacement of a coal-fired boiler, where existing boiler room and storerooms are often utilised.
  • Do not enter the pellet storage area or place your head into a wood pellet hopper as they can contain toxic gases. No personnel should enter the hopper/tank unless fully trained and competent in confined space entry procedures. Controls should be put in place to ensure safe entry as per the HSE's Code of Practice for Working in Confined Spaces5. This should include adequately ventilating the storage area and checking carbon monoxide and oxygen levels with an appropriate device prior to entry. It is recommended that the store room is ventilated at all times, either mechanically or by being designed to have a through draft.
  • Ensure that the boiler and pellet feed mechanism etc. is cleaned and serviced by a competent person as specified by the manufacturers' instructions.
  • If any problems are encountered with the unit, such as the system not heating correctly or flue gas is flowing into the boiler room, turn the unit off and contact the supplier and/or manufacturer and request assistance.
  • Duty holders who store wood pellets, particularly in bulk should have a suitable risk assessment and safe system of work in place.
  • Manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of wood pellets should provide adequate health and safety information to the user in their materials safety data sheet.
  • Warning signs should be placed on the pellet storage area access door, ideally on both sides so it can be seen when the door is open. The warning sign should include the following information:
  • DANGER - RISK OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING - There is a danger to life from odourless carbon monoxide and lack of oxygen. Check atmosphere before entry with an appropriate device. No entry for unauthorised persons. Keep children away from the storeroom.
  • No smoking, fires or naked flames.
  • The room should be adequately ventilated before entering. Keep the door open whilst inside.
  • There is a danger of injury from movable parts.
  • Filling procedures should be carried out accordance to the instructions of the heating installation company and the pellet suppliers.

Monday 19 November 2012

Update on RHI scheme

As the first anniversary of the Renewable Heat Incentive approaches we thought we would take a quick look at progress to date.

In terms of overall numbers the results are modest.  In England the number of accredited installations is 406.  Of these 358 (88%) are for biomass boilers, 25 (6%) for solar thermal and 19 (5%) for ground source heat pumps.

Data Source: Ofgem, 19/11/2012
The relatively low uptake in the solar thermal and ground source categories is interesting and suggests that these technologies are yet to find traction in commercial situations.  This low uptake may also be due to the popularity of the Feed in Tariff which has probably diverted attention towards solar PV, particularly where biomass is not an option.

The results also show that the RHI tariff is yet to be used for deep geothermal, municipal sold waste or bio-methane installations.  As these technologies are often used at larger scales it may be that other incentives are being favoured, such as the Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC).  Another factor is the high capital cost of these technologies which undoubtedly take longer to plan and finance.  Uptake of the RHI might therefore pick up in time, but in the absence of any other information from DECC (e.g. pre-accreditation) it is hard to tell.

Biomass romps ahead

At 358 installations (commercial) biomass heating is leading the renewable heat scene at the moment.  Based on our experience these installations are mainly to be found on farms and estates and often focus on a large property that is connected to multiple domestic and non-domestic properties in close proximity.  We are also seeing smaller domestic systems that involve multiple dwellings connected to a single boiler.

Date Source: Ofgem, 19/11/2012
Uptake in the new build/refurbishment sectors is happening, albeit at a much slower rate.  While planning applications for large regeneration projects and new housing are coming through, particularly in the Growth Areas and Growth Points of Kent, the specification of biomass heating is rare, which seems odd given the interest from private finance houses in RHI-based investments and ESCo business models.

The integration of other renewable heat technologies alongside biomass does not yet appear to be common either.  Even though solar thermal and biomass are best friends, to use a Jamie Oliver saying, we are yet to see it in action.  This may be because of high capital cost of biomass which could be excluding secondary/complementary technologies (i.e. biomass is often sized to be as close to 100% of the heat load as possible with oil for peak which often makes the business case for complementary technologies less attractive).

Uptake in Kent?

Unfortunately the Ofgem statistics do not allow analysis at region or county levels.  However, based on the work we are doing and the people we speak to, many of the large farm estates (particularly those with woodland interests) have made enquiries about the RHI and biomass technologies and several sites have gone ahead with projects.

Kamstrup heat meter in action
However, in the grand scheme of things uptake is still slow.  We think that whilst interest levels are high the upfront capital cost of biomass remains the single largest barrier and prevents many from proceeding further.  We know from the pre-feasibility studies we have carried out for people that the business case for biomass in the right situation is extremely compelling (i.e. 5 to 6 year payback, 10%+ return over the lifetime of the installation, 50% fuel cost reduction for wood chip).

650 kW Binder at Hever Castle
Whilst we agree that biomass heating projects have a long lead in time, and take considerable project/business development, there may be a case for installing presenting finance options (if they have them) at a much earlier stage.

Domestic RHI on its way...

Don't forget that the purely domestic version of the RHI is being consulted on at the moment.  This scheme is due to open in Q2 or Q3 2013.  Our current thinking is that the tariff proposed for domestic biomass in the consultation is currently too low to make a significant difference in payback (and thus uptake).  If you are interested in the RHI and are in a situation where you could qualify for the commercial RHI (e.g. 2 or more domestic dwellings connected to a single boiler) you may well be better off taking action now.  We hope that the tariff under the domestic RHI improves and we will keep a keen eye on the consultation response by DECC.

Can we help?

The Kent Downs Woodfuel Pathfinder can provide pre-feasibility support for people considering biomass heating.  By 'pre-feasibility' we mean the assessment of viability and the development of an initial (non-market tested) business case.  We can also support people as they engage with the installer network.

If you would any help with the RHI and biomass heating then please get in touch with us on 01303 815 171 or matthew.morris@kentdowns.org.uk.  

Due to the way our project is funded our support needs to be provided mainly within Kent and should preferably link to woodfuel supply chains in/near the Kent Downs AONB.  If in doubt just call!  










Thursday 15 November 2012

Woodfuel WIG - FREE whole-day workshop


Video: How to identify Ash dieback (Chalara Fraxinea)

Well worth watching this short video if you need to know more about how to spot Ash dieback.  

Now that it's autumn, you will need to look for the characteristic lesions of dieback, rather than for leaf symptoms.


The latest outbreak map from the Ashtag project is shown below.

Courtesy of www.ashtag.org on Nov 15, 2012.





















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