By WoodPelletCN · Published and revised · Business contact: Jasmine Li
Energy equivalence
For the same useful heat, biomass mass equals coal mass × coal NCV × coal efficiency ÷ (biomass NCV × biomass efficiency). Use consistent units and realistic operating efficiencies.
Review the full system
Ask the equipment provider to review the grate or burner, feed system, air supply, ash removal, controls and emissions equipment. Include the fuel’s ash behaviour and relevant elemental analysis.
Trial before commitment
Define monitoring, acceptance criteria and responsibilities before a controlled trial. Calculated fuel savings are not evidence of operating savings or equipment suitability.
Equal useful heat: worked mass comparison
For illustration only, 1 tonne of coal at 24 MJ/kg and 75% efficiency provides 18 GJ of useful heat. A proposed biomass fuel at 15 MJ/kg and 80% efficiency provides 12 GJ per tonne. Equal useful heat would therefore require 1.50 tonnes of that biomass. These assumed values describe no WoodPelletCN product or customer installation.
Multiply each required mass by its comparable delivered price, or use the two-fuel tool. A favourable fuel bill does not establish that the existing coal equipment can burn the proposed fuel.
Build a complete project comparison
| Cost / decision | Evidence to request |
|---|---|
| Fuel expenditure | Delivered price, as-received NCV, operating efficiency and annual useful heat. |
| Equipment and controls | Written review by the equipment provider; required modifications and their cost. |
| Operations | Handling, auxiliary power, ash disposal, staffing, maintenance and downtime assumptions. |
| Site requirements | Applicable emissions and operating requirements reviewed for the destination. |
| Trial | Responsible personnel, measurement plan, stop conditions and written acceptance criteria. |
Decide in stages
First establish the permitted fuel envelope with the equipment provider. Then compare samples and reports against that envelope. Only then agree a controlled trial and a commercial evaluation. If equipment approval or required site conditions are absent, pause substitution rather than using the cost calculator as approval.
Sources and scope
Official references below explain the relevant method or scope. Our purchasing worksheets and illustrative calculations are not batch results, certification or equipment approval.
Your next purchasing step
Review the wood pellet quotation checklist and compare two fuels at equal useful heat.