Cinder: a hindrance to heating systems



Most people used to think that wood pellets once heated would eventually transform into a fine ash like substance. However, with an increase in its usage in many homes across the globe, news has surfaced that the wood pellets do not turn into ash. Instead they result in a hard residue which resembles cinder which eventually blocks up the heating system itself. This has led to several heating systems getting spoilt. While this phenomenon is not very common sometimes the ash can clinker which eventually results in cinder formation. This necessitates daily checks into the heating system and removal as well as cleaning of the fuel plate. However, most homes have not experienced such a problem and usually the wood pellets burn into a fine ash which does not disrupt the functioning of the heating system. Also most of the time the cinder formation happens on the grate portion of the heating system instead of the firebox. This can be eliminated on a periodical basis.

Why does cinder form?

There are many reasons why cinder can accumulate as a result of burning wood pellets. Sometimes if the pellet furnaces are at very high temperatures of combustion then it can result in cinder formation. At other times contaminated wood pellets could also be the culprit in which case an abundance of minerals can pose a problem. This can happen even if the pellet boilers are in perfect condition. Therefore consumers facing such a problem are typically asked to contact the pellet manufacturer for free exchange if the boiler is found in good condition.

How to avoid the condition

With more and more consumers complaining about the formation of bed ash in their heating systems, it has created a negative publicity for wood pellets which were otherwise perceived as a great fuel source. Hence more companies are researching into its causes and how it can be avoided. The findings conclude that using fuels which are rich in ash content such as bark as well as logging residues should be avoided in pellet burners. Even the burner type can result in the extent of bed ash formation inside the heating system. The concentration of deposits inside the wood pellets will also affect the quantity of cinder formation. It has also been found as per research that a high concentration of silica in the pellets also can lead to a high concentration of bed ash.

The silica content in the wood (from which wood pellets are sourced) can come from the water of the soil. The water may carry the silica in the form of dissolved ions which then get absorbed by the tree bark.