Bio-Mass / Corn Burning Furnaces

PRODUCT LINE INFORMATION

The Eco-Tech product line consists of a biomass multi-fuel forced air heating system. The furnace is available in 100,000 and 150,000 BTU output. The furnace is specifically engineered to consume annually renewable commodities and recycled biomass pellets. Biomass fuels typically used for fuel are most feed and cereal grains such as shelled corn, oats, rye, wheat and milo. Other biomass fuels that can be used are pelletized wood and paper products, pelletized crop residue and hay, and pelletized yard waste.

FURNACE

The 100,000 BTU capacity system is accompanied by a (14) fourteen bushel capacity or approximately 700 pound storage bin. The furnace has a 81% to 83% efficiency rating. The system is thermostatically controlled for precise temperature control. When the thermostat calls for heat, fuel is delivered to the burn chamber via a dual auger feed system. The auger pitch, auger dimensions, and auger motors are engineered to deliver fuel at a rate of 100,000 BTU’s per hour, which equates to approximately twelve pounds of fuel per hour in the high fire mode. When the system is in the low fire mode or when the thermostat is satisfied, the system delivers approximately 2 pounds of fuel per hour.

The Eco-Tech type furnace was originally listed by Underwriters Laboratories as a shelled corn burning unit. However, recognizing the potential markets for other biomass fuels, specifically wood pellets, the furnace is now listed as a biomass furnace.

The furnace has a standard burn pot for burning grains, and an alternate pot for burning pelletized fuel. The burn pots are interchangeable and easily removed and replaced. The burn pots include precisely located combustion air ports in order to create optimum fuel consumption. Fuel is fed into the bottom of the burn chamber and consumed when reaching the combustion air ports. Residue ash rises up on the incoming fuel and is spilled over the sides of the burner into the ash pan below. This process, in effect, self cleans the burn chamber. The Eco-Tech Heating System will burn both high grade – low ash pellets and low – grade high ash pellets.

The forced air furnace incorporates a built in heat exchanger cleaner that removes any residue ash that accumulates on the heat exchanger tubes. By manually pulling the heat exchanger scraper all the way out and then back in, any residue ash that accumulates on the heat exchanger tube is removed. The ash then falls down into the ash pan. This simple procedure will keep the forced air furnace at peak efficiency.

The Eco-Tech biomass furnace features quality construction for long lasting performance. The furnace was designed in order that replacement parts be readily available on a local basis. The auger feed assembly and burn chamber are the only removable components specifically designed for the systems. Otherwise, standard high quality readily available furnace components are used.
NOTE – Both right and left hand feed furnaces are produced. If fuel is fed in from the right side of the unit as you are standing in front of the furnace, it is a right hand feed furnace and vice versa. This allows for flexibility in set up and installation.

PLASTIC STORAGE BIN

The plastic storage bin is constructed of molded plastic, a strong, durable, yet lightweight plastic. The storage bin holds l4 bushels of corn or approximately 700 pounds of wood pellets. This supply of fuel will last 7 to 10 days depending upon the fuel used, the size of the home, and weather conditions. The plastic bin adds both flexibility in set up and service.

FABRICATION INFORMATION

The fabricated steel component parts used on the Eco-Tech furnace are mostly l6, 14, and 12 gage mild steel. Galvanealed 20 Ga. steel for the furnace is used on the exterior housing to prevent rusting, even if the paint is scratched. The furnace heat exchanger is fabricated from 14 Ga. mild steel with continuous welds for insured air tight operation, and is painted with a high temperature paint. The furnace door is fabricated from 12 gauge steel for strength. All component parts are currently fabricated by precision CNC laser cutting equipment along with the standard fabrication processes of shearing, punching, and forming. Most of the purchased parts are stock items and are readily available.

SUMMARY

The use of biomass fuel is kind to the atmosphere. When biomass (such as grass, trees, and grains) grows, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the air. The same level of carbon dioxide is emitted when biomass is burned as fuel. The result is no net increase in global carbon dioxide levels. A serious concern of all environmentally aware individuals is the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere, causing the "greenhouse effect" on the planet earth. The cause of the increased carbon dioxide levels is the burning of fossil fuels of which the earth supplies are being rapidly depleted. Before long, consumers may be required to comply with environmental regulations aimed at curbing carbon dioxide emissions. Replacing fossil fuels with biomass is likely to be the most cost effective course of compliance. With the ever-growing environmental movement and the increasing governmental supports and mandates for alternative fuels, biomass fueled furnaces could become as common place in the near future as recycling is today. Many households spend a couple of hours a week separating recyclable materials and delivering them to recycling centers. These same households, if presented with the concept of burning biomass fuel to help the environment, could be very receptive to spending less than an hour a week filing fuel in their furnace hopper and emptying the ashes onto their lawns or garden as fertilizer.

With the current high price of propane and natural gas, burning corn as the source of heat is very economical. The cost of heating with corn is currently one fourth the cost of propane and one third the cost of natural gas. Many homes or shops could pay for a Eco-Tech furnace from their energy savings in just one heating season.

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