Safe storage of wood pellets and wood chip fuel (HSE research)

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

An interesting, with surprising findings, research project see http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr1077.pdf if only to read the executive summary.

 

Cheers,

Paul

[openspaceman]

An interesting, with surprising findings, research project see http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr1077.pdf if only to read the executive summary.

 

Cheers,

Paul

 

Thanks I'll read that more fully this evening.

 

I was aware of the danger from CO in pellet stores as there have been fatalities in ships' holds storing pellets.

[cornish wood burner]

Thats been a known problem for many years.

HSE are always way behind the times. It seems they always react after the event and don't think about giving a warning before.

Perhaps think is not in their remit.

[openspaceman]

Thats been a known problem for many years.

HSE are always way behind the times. It seems they always react after the event and don't think about giving a warning before.

Perhaps think is not in their remit.

 

In 2007 I was, and had been for a very long time, aware of not working in silos with silage or cereals because of asphyxiation by CO2 or of entering dung/sewage pits for the same reason plus hydrogen sulphide . At that time I regularly entered chip silos to shovel them out when an auger jammed. I also entered a pellet silo built into a block of flats in brixton via a trap door from the control room and there was no way of venting that room had CO been generated. So I wasn't aware of the CO problem from pellets till some time later.

 

I see the BBC news mentions two sewage related casualties today so it's worth knowing ,like not taking barbecues into a tent when still active/burning.

[cornish wood burner]

As far as I understand it's the oxidation of the fatty acids in the wood. Fresh pellets could be more of a risk apparently, but either way it's something to be aware of in confined, poorly vented areas.

About 5 years ago this problem was mentioned by one of the engineers installing a wood chip boiler for us. He was also involved in pellet systems and said there had previously been fatalities /near misses in pellet storage facilities.

Theoretically I believe this could also apply to chip hoppers, so if a problem ever did occur in one, then no doubt HSE will warn us after the event.