Biomass Heating Does Not Have To Be
Expensive Or Complicated
AFS Biomass offers end-to-end
solution for renewable or green
energy systems to businesses,
institutions and homes. From
initial design and planning, right
through to installation and on going
maintenance, our service is truly
holistic.
We design, supply, install and
maintain complete biomass boiler
systems for commercial, domestic
and district heating applications
(where several buildings are heated
by a single boiler).
We pride ourselves on good advice,
on our service, and the efficient, no
nonsense installation of the right
system for the job. We can provide
everything you need from retro-fit
systems to bespoke energy centres,
from fuel stores to fuel supply.
Our biomass boilers will integrate
with any existing heating systems,
including under floor heating,
domestic hot
water and with
other renewables
such as solar.
Why Biomass?
In a heating
context,
"Biomass" is the
name given to
organic material
that can be used
as fuel. The new
generation of "multi-fuel" biomass
boilers supplied by AFS are up to
96% efficient and can burn wood
logs, wood pellets, wood chips,
cereals and miscanthus.
Biomass Energy Centre)
Biomass is cheaper than fossil fuel.
Wood pellets are 25-30% cheaper
than heating oil and wood chip is
40-50% cheaper. (Source; Biomass
Energy Centre)
Buying biomass fuel locally reduces
There Are Many Good Reasons for the environmental impact of
transport, helps your local economy,
Using Biomass Fuel
Biomass is sustainable, renewable, provides local business opportunities
and rural jobs.
virtually carbon neutral and
Excellent return on investment,
offers CO2 savings of up to 96%,
especially if replacing electricity,
compared to heating oil. (Source;
heating oil or LPG.
"Thinning" - the selective harvesting
of a forest's annual growth - not
only provides biomass fuel, but is
necessary to improve the growth rate
of trees and to support biodiversity.
Woodland, forestry and agriculture
provide the population with leisure
and recreation opportunities.
Less woody biomass going to landfill
means less methane and reduced
CO2 emissions.
Biomass ash is full of nutrients,
so makes great compost for your
garden.
Increased mycotoxin risk from silage
field aftermath
the aftermath if at all possible. “Many contamination, the aim is to remove inoculant plus a chemical additive, or
dairy farmers don’t like taking sheep as much air from the grass as quickly a chemical (salt) alone. The inoculant
on tack, but these grazers really are as possible,” says Lauren Dimmack will improve the fermentation and
the best animals for cleaning up
from Alltech UK.
the additional salt reduces aerobic
the sward in the winter. Essentially, “Fill the clamp in layers no more than spoilage. This will help stabilise the
UK dairy farmers are being advised
you’ve got two options: either leave
to remove aftermath from silage fields
the aftermath – which means you run
or run the risk of a higher mycotoxin
the risk of producing poor quality
challenge in the conserved forage
silage – or remove it, either by
they make this year.
mowing it off and wasting it, or bring
“The weather was very mild at the
the sheep in.”
back end of last year and grass was
If neither option is practical, Dr
still growing on many farms right
Davies says many farmers will
through Christmas and beyond.
have to focus on excellent clamp
Consequently, there’s a lot of
management this year.
aftermath about, which also means
Mycotoxin management specialist
plenty of dead material that’s likely
Alltech agrees, pointing out that
to contain high levels of yeasts and
compaction of grass in the clamp is
fungi,” says Dr Dave Davies of Silage
absolutely crucial. “When clamping
Solutions.
silage to reduce the risk of mycotoxin
Dr Davies advises farmers to remove
15cm deep at a time and compact as
you go. Your target should be 750
kg of fresh material per m3 (c. 250kg
DM). Unfortunately, most farms
are only reaching 650 kg per m3 or
less, which means too much oxygen
is left with the grass, increasing
the chance of aerobic spoilage and
moulds, and then multiple mycotoxin
contamination,” she says.
Dr Davies adds that farmers with a lot
of aftermath who are concerned about
the risk of aerobic spoilage must use
an appropriate silage additive.
“Ideally use a homo-fermentative
clamp,” he says.
Other tips to mitigate potential
mycotoxin risks when silage making:
• Mow grass when it is dry
• Aim for a stubble height of
7-10cm
• Spread the crop immediately
after mowing
• Spread the sward to encourage
wilting
• Don’t leave a thick, dense
sward – this is the perfect
environment for mould