Sawdust pellets

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Sawdust pellets are an alternate fuel, made from compressed sawdust.[1] Sawdust was a byproduct of turning raw wood into manageable sized lumber.

Users of pellet fuel usually use special pellet stoves, built to burn pellets.[1] Pellet fuel is described as having a smaller environmental impact than older alternatives, like coal.[2]

Due to their standard size, pellet stoves can be designed to burn their fuel more precisely, so the combustion produces less harmful smoke.[3] Due to their standard size, pellet stoves can be fueled from a hopper, and automate the longer term management of a large supply of pellets.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Tobie Stanger. Consumer Reports' Guide to Pellet and Wood Stoves: Improved efficiency and safety—plus a new tax credit—add to the allure of these home heaters, Consumer Reports, 2021-02-23. “Pellet stoves offer a more environmentally sustainable choice for homeowners; the units burn recycled sawdust that’s been compressed and dried. You fill a hopper with pellets, set the heat level, and the stove automatically ignites. An electrically powered auger continuously feeds the pellets into the stove’s firebox.”
  2. Dale Ellis. Pellet mill expanding with investor tie-up, Arkansas Online, 2020-12-10. “Reilly said wood is not only renewable, but leaves behind far less toxic waste than coal, which not only lowers the environmental impact, but makes it less costly overall.”
  3. David Brooks. Study: Switching from heating oil to local wood cuts greenhouse gasses, Granite Greek, 2020-11-08. “But if you can’t switch to an automated wood heat system, you can still reduce your greenhouse gas impact by using a conventional pellet stove, which helps you reduce your fossil fuel consumption. In either case, using wood pellets from northern New England or New York is key; their climate impact is less than pellets from elsewhere that are transported long distances to the mill and to the end user.”