Biomass & Heat Storage Tanks

Advantages of Hydroflex Systems Hot Water Storage Tanks for Biomass Hot Water Storage Systems

What is biomass energy? It is the energy from burning plants and plant-derived materials, such as wood products. Modern biomass systems are one of the safest, most convenient and environmentally responsible sources of energy you can use. These systems offer efficient energy delivery and low cost of use, and they take advantage of a renewable, abundant and readily available fuel source. That’s right: Modern forestry initiatives have made wood one of the most environmentally friendly sources for commercial and residential use.

You may also consider using pellets as part of your biomass hot water storage system. Pellet-fired biomass systems are a little more expensive than wood burning because of the process nature of the fuel, but they are more efficient when it comes to transport, storage and consumption.

How Does Hydroflex Help Biomass Hot Water Storage Systems?

The Hydroflex Water Storage Tank makes biomass systems more efficient by allowing the boiler to run hotter for longer periods of time. Day to day use of the entire system is made easier by minimizing time spent burning biomass products. Due to their light weight and flexibility, larger capacity Hydroflex water tanks are less expensive to purchase and install than other types of tanks. Larger tanks are able to store more heat. Hydroflex tanks are durable and do not rust. They can be treated after installation for outdoor use. The tanks arrive at a job site completely manufactured and insulated and ready for a simple installation process. They require minimal maintenance. Hydroflex offers over 11 different sizes of heat exchangers for completely customized systems.

Wood Products

There are two different kinds of wood products used in these types of systems. Timber is one. Of the systems using this source of fuel, wood gasification boilers are the most efficient. These state-of-the-art systems burn less wood for the same heat output, produce almost no creosote which causes chimney fires, and minimize greenhouse gas emissions. There is virtually no wasted fuel. Wood pellets are another type of wood product used. These low cost pellets are purchased. Pellet boilers require minimal maintenance and are up to 90% efficient.

Heat Production vs. Usage

Wood burning is most efficient and clean when burned at high combustion temperatures, i.e. fast and hot. However, heat is not often utilized in this way for long periods of time. This is especially true in the spring and fall seasons where the need for these systems fluctuates greatly. It is also not generally possible for systems to provide domestic hot water in the summer. There is a solution to all of these problems caused by this discrepancy between heat production vs. usage.

Wood Boiler Heat Storage

Hydroflex water storage tanks compensate for the difference between supply and need in the same way they do for solar thermal tank applications. Tanks store nearly all the heat produced by the boiler and keep it available for when it is needed. The boiler can then run with maximum efficiency and does not have to smolder to match the needs of the load. Excess heat is stored for later use. Hydroflex Systems Inc. offers two levels of insulation for every size of wood burning heat storage tank it manufactures.

Compatibility of Hydroflex

Hydroflex hot water tanks can be used with any wood boiler commercially available.Tanks are also available with a double insulation kit for greater than 24 R value.

Uses for Wood Boilers

Find efficiency and effectiveness when you explore the uses for wood boiler hot water systems. Depending on your specific needs, you can use wood boiler systems for domestic hot water, space heating, forced air heating, baseboard heat or radiant floor systems. The uses for wood boiler hot water systems can be applied at homes or businesses. Here’s a look at how wood boiler systems can be used:

Contact Hydroflex technical support for more information.

Stratification and Heat Exchangers

Stratification occurs in the tank when hotter water rises to the top. Heat is delivered to AND removed from the tank through heat exchangers. Vertical, spiral, heat exchangers sit inside the tank. They are designed specifically to eliminate laminar flow. Hydroflex's manufacturing facility produced heat exchangers which were the subject of a 2 year Bucknell University, College of Engineering study. The heat exchangers were deemed as having near perfect efficiency.

The wood burning “loop” uses its own set of heat exchangers to input hot water at the top of the tank. The water inside the tank remains undisturbed and serves as the heat storage medium. Water cools on its way to the bottom, exits the tank, and then is reheated by the collectors. The load “loops” which are separate and have different sets of heat exchangers remove hot water from the top of the tank and return cooler water at the bottom. A solar thermal “loop” can also be added to the same tank.

To make the most of your biomass hot water storage system, choose Hydroflex, North America’s source for outstanding products and expert hydronic engineering service.

Browse our selection of wood burning hot water storage systems.