Types of biofuel fireplaces and their benefits

Types of biofireplaces

Biofuel fireplaces come in a variety of designs. All devices are conditionally divided into 4 types.

• Wall-mounted fireplaces - flat, elongated structures made of refractory material. The front wall is closed with plexiglass for safety reasons. The back and base are made mainly of metal. The design is fixed to the wall with special brackets. To service the fireplace, you do not have to remove the casing. This option, although it provides for a close location to the wall, is safe due to the fact that during the combustion of biofuel, the surfaces heat up slightly. Such a device will not be able to provoke a fire if used correctly.

• Table fireplaces are part of the decor, its details echo the elements of decoration and furniture.The peculiarity of such structures is their compact size. You can place them not only on tables, but also on shelves, cabinets, podium. The desktop options reproduce little heat, but such qualities as mobility and aesthetics win.

• Floor fireplaces - an enlarged version of desktop designs. They are also mobile but have a more impressive list of features. You can place the devices on any flat surface, be it the floor or the podium.

• Built-in fireplaces have the qualities of all of the above designs, except for mobility. They can be of large and compact dimensions, be made in any configuration, decorated with the most unusual objects, but it is not possible to reinstall such devices due to the fact that the box is built directly into the wall.

What is a biofireplace?

Its other names are an alcohol fireplace, a hearth on alcohol, or on bioethanol. This device is a modern kind of eco-friendly device that is an analogue of a traditional fireplace and becomes an excellent alternative to those deceptive designs that only imitate live fire. This equipment is a chance to get an original decorative element, eco-friendly, does not require firewood, without acrid smoke, but with a flame that humanity does not like to watch so much.

The first bio-fireplace appeared back in 1977, it was invented by the Italian engineer Giuseppe Lucifora, who was the first to propose using ordinary industrial alcohol instead of the usual firewood. Due to the absence of a chimney and all the dangers associated with it, novelty alcohol hearths began to quickly gain popularity. How does a biofireplace work? It is based on the simple principle of combustion, but not of solid fuel, but of alcohol, or rather, its vapors.

Bioethanol is not able to burn in the absence of oxygen, so the flame appears only on its surface. Vapors of a substance, mixing with air, ignite. If you close the access to oxygen, the flame will go out. During the combustion of ethanol, water vapor and carbon dioxide are released, so the unpleasant smell, soot and smoke are completely absent. For this reason, there are no "contraindications" for the use of such devices in apartments, houses or offices.

Varieties of biofuels and their features

Biofuels - environmentally friendly fuel

The existence of the prefix "bio" in the name of the fuel determines its environmental friendliness. Indeed, in the manufacture of this type of fuel, renewable natural resources are used. The main components used in the production of ecological fuel are cereals and herbaceous crops with a high content of sugar and starch. Thus, cane and corn are the most suitable raw materials for the creation of biofuels.

Biofuel for biofireplaces, produced from natural ingredients, is not inferior to less environmentally friendly counterparts in terms of its energy characteristics:

• bioethanol. consisting almost entirely of alcohol, can replace gasoline;
• biogas. which is a product of the specific processing of various garbage waste, like natural gas is used to create thermal and mechanical energy;
• Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil for fueling cars and other uses.

For kindling biofireplaces, preference is given to bioethanol - a colorless and odorless liquid.

1. Environmental friendliness is due to the complete absence of the production of carbon monoxide, soot and soot.
2. Ease of cleaning burners.
3. The ability to adjust the intensity of combustion.
4. No need to install ventilation devices.
5. High fire safety and reliability of fuel use due to thermal insulation of the fireplace body.
6. Convenience of transportation of the fuel itself and ease of installation of fireplaces for its use.
7. It is characterized by one hundred percent heat transfer, since heat is not lost in the wilds of the chimney.
8. It does not require the preparation of firewood and cleaning near the fireplace side effects: dirt, debris and ashes.
9. The water vapor released when ethyl alcohol is heated contributes to the normalization of the humidity level in the room.

Biogas - a complete fuel from waste

Everyone knows that the new is the well-forgotten old. So, biogas is not a discovery of our time, but a gaseous biofuel, which they knew how to extract in ancient China. So what is biogas and how can you get it on your own?

Biogas is a mixture of gases obtained by overheating organic matter without air. Manure, tops of cultivated plants, grass or any waste can be used as starting material. As a rule, manure is used as a fertilizer, and few people know that it can be useful for obtaining biofuels, with which it is quite possible to heat living quarters, greenhouses, and also cook food.

The approximate composition of biogas: methane CH4, carbon dioxide CO2, impurities of other gases, for example, hydrogen sulfide H2S, and the specific gravity of methane can reach up to 70%. About 0.5 kg of biogas can be obtained from 1 kg of organic matter.

What factors affect production?

First, it is the environment.The warmer, the more active the reaction of decomposition of organic substances and the release of gas. No wonder the first installations for the production of such biofuels as biogas were involved in regions with a warm climate. Despite this, with sufficient insulation of biogas plants and the use of heated water, it is quite possible to build them in more severe climatic conditions, which is being successfully carried out at the present time.

Secondly, raw materials. It should decompose easily and contain a large amount of water in its composition, without inclusions of detergents, antibiotics and other substances that can slow down the fermentation process.

Bioinstallation by Yuri Davydov

An inventor from the Lipetsk region built with his skillful hands a device that allows you to extract "blue biofuels" at home. There was no shortage of raw materials, since he himself and his neighbors had plenty of livestock, and, of course, manure.

What did he come up with? He dug a huge hole with his own hands, laid concrete rings in it and covered it with an iron structure in the form of a dome and weighing about one ton. He brought pipes out of this container, and then filled the pit with organic matter. A few days later, he was able to cook food for cattle and heat the bathhouse on the biogas he received. Later they brought gas to the house for household needs.

Recommended composition of raw materials for processing

For this purpose, 1.5 - 2 tons of manure and 3 - 4 tons of plant waste are poured with water until 60-70% moisture content of the mixture is reached. The resulting mixture is placed in a tank and heated with a coil to 35 degrees Celsius. Under such conditions, the mixture begins to ferment without access to air and heats up to a higher temperature, which contributes to the gas evolution reaction.Gas is removed from the pit through special tubes and used for its intended purpose. The design of the installation, made by the hands of the master, is clearly visible in the diagram.

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Homemade biogas plant:

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A simple do-it-yourself biofireplace: instructions for making

First of all, you will have to make a base to secure the fuel tank with a damper, which are commercially available, and their cost is quite affordable. Yes, and the acquisition will solve a rather big problem - you do not have to do it yourself. The bars are cut to size, and fixed between sheets of plywood or drywall.

• The upper part of the base should have a rectangular hole where the fuel tank will be placed.
• Next, on the main frame, you need to fix all the other elements of the base of the biofireplace, while you need to carefully process all the edges. Moreover, if you use drywall, then you will have to carefully cover the edges with putty, otherwise they will look ugly.
• Glass panels made of heat-resistant material will have to be drilled, and this is far from easy to do at home. Therefore, it is worth contacting a real professional who will make the holes as needed, having the necessary materials, as well as special tools.
• Glass side screens should be mounted very carefully, as the glass may well burst if overloaded.Moreover, from the front, it is better to use bolts with decorative heads, which are also easy to find on the shelves of modern stores.
• When the design is completely ready, you need to install the fuel tank and burner, then the work will be fully completed.

Worth remembering

In no case should you set fire to a biofireplace with “improvised” means, such as wood chips or rolled paper, as this is fraught with burns. It is best to purchase a gas lighter with a long spout, it will be safe and inexpensive.

Thus, it turns out that you can make a biofireplace with your own hands, the video fully confirms this, you can do it on your own, and without any problems and difficulties. Moreover, beautiful stones, artificial firewood and other materials that do not burn can be laid around the burner.

What is biofuel?

For the operation of eco-fireplaces, special combustible compositions obtained from the processing of biological waste or made on the basis of vegetable raw materials are intended. It gives a beautiful "live" flame without sparking, odors, soot and smoke.

The most common type of fuel is denatured ethanol. Additionally, it is enriched with special additives that color the fire in a warm orange color.

And for those who want to enjoy the full illusion of a fire with a characteristic crackle of firewood, there are special bio-gels, which include sea salt.

Ecofuel is sold in the form of a liquid or jelly-like gel in cans, bottles or canisters with a capacity of 1 to 5 liters, and the compositions can be flavored or neutral

The composition of industrial eco-fuels should contain at least 95% bioethanol, 3-4% water and 1-2% various additives (for example, methyl etiketone or bitrex), which prevent the mixture from separating into water and alcohol and give a beautiful color to the flame.

To choose the right fuel for your fireplace, focus on the heat output of the fuel (on average, when burning 1 liter, about 6.5 kW / h of heat is generated) and the availability of a quality certificate. Although regular alcohol can be used as fuel for a fireplace, its bluish flame does not compare with the warm fire characteristic of burning wood, which is produced by bioethanol.

Although regular alcohol can be used as fuel for a fireplace, its bluish flame does not compare with the warm fire characteristic of burning wood, which is produced by bioethanol.

But if you wish, you can make a mixture for dressing with your own hands.

For this you will need:

1. Purified 96% ethyl alcohol with a colorless flame - 1 liter.
2. Gasoline with a high octane rating, for example, "Kalosha" (a simple automobile will not work - a characteristic smell will be released during combustion) - 50 ml.
3. Aromatic additives from essential oils (optional) - 5-7 drops.

Then you need to mix the liquids in the indicated proportions, shake until a homogeneous mass is obtained and pour into the burner or fuel block.

The disadvantage of this method is that the combustible composition is suitable for use only immediately after preparation; it will not work to make a stock for long-term storage - the mixture will delaminate.

Read more about the types of fuel for a biofireplace in this material.

Peculiarities

Compared to traditional biofireplaces, it has the following advantages:

• Security - the design of the fuel block makes it possible to control the open fire zone. The thermal insulation of the casing allows the use of the fireplace indoors.
• Ease of installation - the fireplace does not need a chimney. In relation to the unit, the prefix "eco" is often used, so there is no point in laying ventilation pipes and agreeing to carry out work of a similar nature if there is a desire to install it in an apartment. According to the principle of operation, a biofireplace is similar to an ordinary candle, but the fire does not produce soot. This device runs on biofuel and bioethanol is used as a fuel - a liquid based on ethanol, that is, ethyl alcohol, which decomposes into carbon dioxide and water when burned, so there is no orange tint in the flame. At the moment, there are mixtures containing components to give the fire a natural color. Some bio-fireplace owners like to use sea salt gel lighter fluid that mimics the crackle of logs on fire.
• Kindling such a fireplace is not difficult.
• The fireplace is safe for humans, does not harm pets and the environment.

• Ease of use and ease of maintenance. The flame can be extinguished at any time. Since bioethanol does not produce solid decomposition products, there is no need to clean out the ash or remove the soot. To care for the heating tank, it is enough to wash it with running water. The fireplace can simply be lit, without worrying about the preliminary preparation of coal or logs.
• A huge variety of models makes it possible to choose the perfect option for any interior.
• Light weight - even the heaviest models weigh no more than 100 kg, which is suitable even for an ordinary city apartment.
• Relative fire safety - it is quite difficult to overturn the fireplace due to its severity, the flame itself looks like a household spirit lamp. In any case, it is necessary to observe fire safety measures, namely, do not add fuel directly during the operation of the biofireplace, do not fill the burner with biofuel by more than a third, use an automatic ignition system or use a specialized lighter.

Decorate biofireplaces with all kinds of materials - from stone and marble to precious woods, a combination of any type of finish is also used.

When buying an eco-fireplace, it is reasonable to take into account the disadvantages of this type of interior element:

• The fireplace has an exclusively decorative function - such equipment is not suitable for heating even a small room.
• Despite the environmental friendliness of the fuel and due to the lack of a chimney, there must be good ventilation in the room where the eco-fireplace is installed. Otherwise, the air will become excessively humid and therefore unbreathable.
• Fuel can not be bought everywhere, besides, it has a rather high price.

Requirements for installing an eco-fireplace:

• good ventilation in the room;
• lack of drafts;
• sufficient space.

General overview of the device

A fireplace in the house is the dream of many people, but the city dwellers could only dream about it until now. Everything changed when an ecological fireplace was created, which practically does not emit anything during combustion, nevertheless, the fire in it is real.It is very strange, you might think, but in fact, eco-fireplaces are quite simple devices that differ only in size, shape and materials from which they are made.

The easiest way to understand the principle of operation of a biofireplace is to consider its components, which perform certain tasks in each such device. Typically, a biological fireplace consists of a burner, a fuel tank, a base, and a portal or screen for the fire. The biofireplace works thanks to special fuel.

Interior with biofireplace

1. The main element of an eco-fireplace is a burner, which is usually made of non-combustible materials: stone, metal, ceramics. To hide this element of the device, the burner is often lined with decorative elements similar to firewood or coals, real stones, sand. All decorative parts are made of non-combustible materials. If you wish, you yourself can report suitable items to the portal. The burner burns biofuel.
2. Vegetable alcohol, bioethanol acts as a biofuel. Environmentally friendly ethanol for a biofireplace is produced from plant cultures rich in sugar. I usually use beets, reeds or plain wood. Thus, only natural components get into the composition of biofuel for biofireplaces, no chemicals are added. When burning, vegetable alcohol does not emit elements characteristic of firewood and coals: sparks, soot, soot, smoke. In the process of burning fuel, only a small fraction of carbon dioxide and water vapor is produced. According to the level of emissions into the atmosphere of the room, experts compare the work of a biofireplace with a lit candle. That is why the device does not need an exhaust hood and a chimney, because it will not greatly spoil the air in the room.The consumption of biofuel for the operation of a biofireplace is small, and a special fuel tank is built into the system for its storage.
3. The fuel tank can be open or closed, i.e. you can see with your own eyes the amount of liquid next to which the burner is burning, or bioethanol will be inside the device. In any case, it is necessary to refuel the device in the switched off and cooled down state. The dimensions of the fuel tank allow the device to work for several hours, radiating its bioheat, and making it possible to admire real fire.
4. The portal in which the fire burns is usually made of tempered glass. Its main task is to ensure safety and unhindered access to fire. You will be able to watch live fire from anywhere in the room, while the surrounding objects will be protected from its harmful effects. In many ways, the portal determines the appearance of the entire device, its dimensions. The power of the biofireplace can be different, but with any adjustment, the flame will not go beyond the protective screen.
5. The final element of a biofireplace can be considered a frame on which all its elements are attached, as well as decorative structures. The frame ensures the stability of the device on a flat surface, or a solid mounting of the system on the wall. Decorative structures are attached to the fireplace frame, which give the device a certain look. All these elements are made of refractory materials.
6. Biofireplace or electric fireplace can be equipped with additional functionality. For example, many systems provide sound design, which allows you to further believe in the presence of live fire. Many eco-fireplaces are equipped with various control sensors that monitor the performance of the device.Finally, remote controls allow you to start biofireplaces without outside help, it is even possible to turn on systems from phones, tablets.

Contrasting interior in a large room of a private house

What is a biofireplace, what is it, nothing more than an improved fireplace on ordinary wood, adapted for use in urban environments.

To date, the following main types of biofireplaces can be distinguished:

• Floor, installed on all flat surfaces and having large dimensions.
• Suspended, having special fasteners for hanging the system on the wall.
• Built-in, installed in the niches of walls or furniture.
• Desktop, small devices that allow you to have a live fire on the table.
• Corner, specially designed for installation in a corner, can be either floor or suspended.

How a biofireplace works is now clear, so let's look at the possibilities of installing it in an apartment or house.

What is a biofireplace

Bio-fireplace is an improved version of wood-burning fireplaces that runs on a special fuel and does not emit soot and smoke.

Biofireplace, or ecofireplace is an improved version of wood-burning fireplaces. The first hints of it appeared in antiquity, when such installations were a container with oil and a burning wick. Despite advances in science and technology, the principle of operation of modern biofireplaces remained the same. True, today they operate on a special liquid fuel, which is a mixture of ethanol with other substances. In the process of combustion, it does not emit smoke and ash, but still burns oxygen.Because of this, it becomes necessary to periodically ventilate the rooms in which they stand. And perhaps this is their only significant drawback.

There are several types of bio-fireplaces, which are arranged in the same way and consist of the same elements:

• Heating block - its function can be performed by a conventional burner or a fuel tank with a valve that allows you to adjust the intensity of the flame. It is made of metal or stainless steel of sufficient thickness, which will protect the product from deformation under the influence of high temperature and extend its service life. The volume of the fuel tank ranges from 60 ml - 5 liters.
• Case - it depends on the design of the biofireplace and can take the form of any geometric figure or it can be styled as a coffee table, shelf, candelabra. It happens open or closed.
• Decorative elements - they are designed for decoration and are made of refractory materials. Most often these are stones for burners of all sizes and colors, ceramic logs, tongs, a poker, forged grates and other surroundings of ordinary fireplaces.

The first step is drawing up a sketch of a biofireplace

When creating this interior accessory on your own, it is best to start by making a drawing and placing on it the approximate dimensions of the future biofireplace. Seeing what happened in the end, it will be quite possible to visually assess your capabilities for its manufacture.

It is quite difficult to make a fuel block on your own, so it is usually purchased in a finished factory form in specialized stores.

If you plan to make a decorative frame from separate parts, then it is further recommended to make a drawing with exact dimensions so that they fit perfectly together, otherwise you may have to redo all the work. In addition, the drawing and drawing will help you see what materials are needed and how many of them need to be prepared.

As an example, we can consider the manufacture of a biofireplace located between two glass screens.

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The installation steps are as follows

1 - departure of a specialist who makes measurements;

2 - budgeting and its approval;

3 - delivery of the necessary auxiliary materials and equipment to the installation site;

4 - installation and acceptance of work, payments for work performed;

5 - if necessary, we conclude a service agreement, according to the terms of the warranty agreement.

Important! A preliminary visit of a specialist is necessary for drawing up an estimate, since his expert opinion will allow you to optimize costs, as well as draw up a correct work and procurement schedule. if he is ready to order the installation