Christian Engelke, technical director, Viessmann responds to the announcement of forthcoming biomass emission levels under the non-domestic RHI

Viessmann welcomes the forthcoming introduction of air quality emissions limits for all new biomass installations, which will come into force on 24th September 2013.

The new limits of 30 grams per gigajoule (g/GJ) net heat input for particulate matter (PM) and 150 g/GJ for NOx will set a much needed industry benchmark for biomass boiler design and combustion quality, and a foundation for improvement over time.

Some end-users and installers hold the perception that biomass boilers are not technical, possibly misguided by the ancient process of burning wood.  As a manufacturer of quality, efficient units, we believe that the introduction of these standards will correctly elevate the profile of this technology to sit alongside other boiler technology types.

A core technology at Viessmann that already produces the lowest emissions of particulates and dust in biomass boilers is cyclonic combustion. Together with Lambda control, a digital modulating output control and a Köb metal mesh filter, the method is allowing our Pyrot boiler to lead the market with 2 mg/MJ dust emissions (similar to those of an advanced gas combustion system, subject to fuel type) and efficiency levels of up to 92 percent.

All Viessmann Group (incorporating the Köb (or Koeb) brand) biomass boilers below 1 MW meet the forthcoming air quality emissions regulations.  For details of Viessmann and Köb emissions levels please visit www.viessmann.co.uk/RHIemissions.