SmartResidentialHeat - Small-scale biomass combustion systems [Original in Deutsch: Entwicklung von hocheffizienten Heizungssystemen mit Biomasse- Kleinfeuerungsanlagen]

Modern small-scale biomass combustion systems feature high efficiencies under stationary test conditions, but show significantly lower annual utilization rates under actual field conditions. Reasons for that are often a wrong size of the boiler and the heating system (hydronic system), weaknesses in the design of the boiler (e.g. increased flue gas losses, ambient losses in operation and after shutdown), missing insulation of the heating system as well as problems with the combustion control system and the control of the overall heating system (frequent stop-and-go operation). Initially, the most effective and most technically and economically sound measures to increase the annual utilization rate of the boiler and the overall heating system shall be evaluated and selected by using simulation calculations and then be implemented in two pilot plants. The test and evaluation of the optimization measures should then be made by test runs of the pilot plants, with the aim to finish the development of the high-efficiency pellet combustion system, which shall be tested in the field after completion of the project. The results of the project shall be prepared as guidelines for the optimization of the utilization rates of small-scale biomass combustion and heating systems (pellet, wood chip and logwood furnaces) in order to achieve a high replication potential and a quick utilization of the project results.