Wood Chips as Boiler Fuel: A Guide for Factories and Industrial Users

Many factories, agri-processors and industrial sites run boilers for steam and heat. Wood chips are a proven fuel for many of these boilers, and a lot of the timber cleared from farms and development sites can end up as chips.

If you are thinking about sourcing wood chips, here is what to look at first.

Why businesses use wood chips

• They are renewable and locally available.
• They come from clearing work that has to happen anyway, including the removal of invasive trees.
• Depending on your boiler, they can reduce reliance on coal.

The cost per unit of heat depends on your boiler and your supply terms, so compare fuels on the energy they deliver, not only on the price per ton.

Moisture content matters most

Freshly cut wood holds a lot of water, typically around 50 to 60 percent of its weight. Most wood chip boilers need chips of around 30 to 35 percent moisture, although some large boilers are designed to burn wetter fuel.

Wet chips give less heat because part of the energy goes into drying out the water. Check your boiler's specification and share it with your supplier.

Chip size and consistency

Most boilers feed chips automatically, often with an auger. Chips need to be regular in size, without too much fine dust or long slivers, because both can cause blockages and stoppages.

Clean material

Soil, stones, plastic and metal in the fuel increase ash and can damage equipment. Good chips are made from clean timber and handled so they do not pick up dirt during chipping, transport and storage.

Reliable supply and storage

A boiler needs fuel every week, not just when a clearing job happens to finish. Agree on volumes and a delivery schedule upfront.

Store chips under cover where possible, with good airflow. Large, wet chip piles can heat up over time, so keep an eye on stockpiles.

Questions to ask a wood chip supplier

• Where do the chips come from?
• What moisture content can you supply, and how is it managed?
• How consistent is the chip size?
• What volumes can you supply, and how often?
• How is the material kept clean?

The bottom line

Wood chips can be a practical boiler fuel when they meet your specification and arrive reliably. Moisture, size and cleanliness make the difference between a boiler that runs smoothly and one that keeps stopping.

Chipperman provides commercial wood chipping and land clearing across Pretoria and Gauteng. If your business or property has timber that needs clearing, we can chip it on site.