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Biomass Boiler Flue Gas Heat Recovery with Heat Pipe (Case Study)

A biomass boiler exhausts 45,000 m3/h of 150 C flue gas with ash. EN159 recovered heat with a heat-pipe unit to preheat combustion air.

The Challenge

Biomass flue gas at 150 C carried heat but also ash that would foul a rotating device. Recovery needed to be ash-tolerant.

Why Heat Pipe Air-to-Air Recovery

Ash-laden flue gas fouls rotary seals, so a heat pipe with separated streams and no rotating part is the right choice. Welded stainless plate is the alternative for very high ash.

The EN159 Solution

EN159 heat-pipe modules, 45,000 m3/h, combustion air preheated from 20 C to 100 C, abrasion-resistant walls, 4 degree tilt, ash prefilter.

Measured Results

  • Recovered heat: about 0.9 MW
  • Combustion air preheated from 20 C to 100 C
  • Boiler fuel cut by 15 percent
  • Estimated payback: 18 months

Compliance and Selection Notes

Heat-pipe recovery, separated streams, ash prefiltered. Rotary wheel excluded for ash-laden duty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ash handling?

A prefilter and abrasion-resistant walls protect the core; heat pipes have no rotating parts to wear.

Plate alternative?

Yes, welded stainless plate is offered where ash load is very high.

Related Guides and Tools

Heat Pipe Heat Exchangers · Boiler Flue Gas Heat Recovery · Industrial Waste Heat Recovery · Kiln Waste Heat Reuse · Contact EN159

Get a Site-Specific Recovery Estimate

Talk to an EN159 application engineer about your biomass boiler exhaust stream. Call 15753355505 or visit our contact page for a site-specific recovery estimate.

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