Wood is really universal raw material. For thousands of years wood has been used as a construction material, material for tools and tools, paper and fuel. Since the finding of coal, wood has been a forgotten fuel source, and the influx of oil and gas fuels compounded this effect. Today however its is coal, oil and gas which is being put below the spot light, as these fuels are shown to increase CO2 levels by a noteworthy amount. Increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere means more heat from the sun are reflected back at the earth and not allowed to escape the earth?s shell. This will lead to an increase in global temperatures, which will have effects on almost every plant and animal on earth. Wood though as a fuel does not cause the same complications. When wood is burnt it does release carbon dioxide, however the significant factor is where did the carbon dioxide come from. During the time of the tree, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. So during incineration the carbon that is released will be reabsorbed by the next plants. This means wood and tree?s are part of the carbon cycle. The other significant factor with wood is it is a locally sourced energy supply. Fossil fuel prices are very unstable, particularly as fossil fuels are only sourced from a little locations. Sourcing wood fuel?s locally means lower fuel prices and also less fuel haulage, which also advantages the environment.
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When a lot of people think of wood as a energy source, many still think of logs made from old oak tree?s. However this is a very outmoded view as wood as a fuel, and mainly because it is unsound. We simply cannot grow oak tree;s fast enough to sustain a consumption of logs for fuel. Therefore other wood variety need to be used as a energy source that are sustainable. Willow or more expressly short rotation coppice is a very fast growing wood species which can be used for several different uses including as a fuel. Another comparable biomass material that is ideal as a fast growing fuel source is Hemp. So now we have these fast developing wood species, how can we use them efficiently to produce heat and electricity. Well the answer comes in the form of pellets.
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Pellets are small round cylinders, and can be made from many different raw materials for many dissimilar uses. One the willow and hemp have been processed into pellets they can be used immediately in pellet stoves and boilers to make heat in homes and businesses. They burn very proficiently, and produce very little ash and smoke.
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