Below is data from 2 Cordwood High Burns (which followed the
Cordwood Cold Starts on 11/24 and 11/27 – see previous posts). These are R & D Tests.
Each load was about 25 lbs. (in a 2.5 cu. ft. firebox). The fuel was all Hard Maple with average
moisture content of 22%.
The 11/24 High Burn started when the Cold Start reached 15%
of the test load (3.4#). The 11/27 High
burn started when at just under 10% of the test load (2.4#).
The 11/24 load was packed tight (very little air space, and
a relatively solid mass). The 11/27 load
had smaller pieces on the bottom, bigger pieces on the top, and a little more
air between the pieces.
We are deliberately altering the start conditions and
loading procedures to try to determine the range of possible outcomes for a
High Burn using cordwood in this new stove.
We indicate two results for each test: first where the test fuel load has reached
90% consumption, and second when it has reached 100% consumption.
In other words, for the 11/24 test, the first set of results is when
approximately 22.5# of a 25# load has been consumed, leaving a coalbed of 5.9#
(3.4 start + 25# load less 22.5# burned = 5.9#). The second set of results for
the 11/24 test is when the test load has been completely consumed (and the
remaining coalbed is 3.4#, the same as when the fuel was loaded. Note the difference in output and emissions
in each pair.
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Why report the test both ways? EPA has traditionally reported all test
results when the test reaches 100%
completion. The industry wants to
report results for new cordwood tests
when the test reaches 90% completion.
Even High Burns can have long “tails” as you can see. The last 10% of High Burn fuel can take as
long as 90 minutes to burn. As you can
also see, the results are very different depending on how you define the
test – start and end definitions, loading protocol, and fuel.
More on high burns and suggested industry protocols will
follow shortly.
