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1.4 Firewood
The following paragraphs provide technical and practical information regarding the fuel used, so that the user will understand the
importance that Caminetti Montegrappa gives to the selection and preparation of the fuel, and the correct use of the appliance, which
will have a significant impact on proper functioning as well as minimizing fuel consumption and pollution.
Renewable, coming from trees and plants, which grow under the action of sun light.
Organic, being produced by living organisms.
Neutral as regards carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere ("neutral CO₂"), since the CO₂ produced after the combustion
is that absorbed during photosynthesis.
Clean since burning wood efficiently and completely produces only natural substances that are abundantly present
everywhere in our environment in non-toxic concentrations for the living organisms.
1.4.1 Characteristics of firewood
Firewood is usually classified into softwood (poor or fair quality) and hardwood (good quality) depending upon its specific weight;
hardwood, which weighs more than softwood, allows to reduce the amount of wood needed.
Softwood weighs about 300-350 kg/cu.m (with 15/20% moisture content):
it is easy to ignite, it burns rapidly and provides a lively fire.
Softwood includes the following species: fir, ailanthus, locust, chestnut, cypress, cornelian cherry, mulberry, larch, alder, pine,
poplar, willow, elder and lime.
Hardwood weighs about 350-400 kg/cu.m (with 15/20% moisture content):
it has a higher density and is less resinous than softwood, it burns slowly and keeps a low flame (suitable for home heating).
Hardwood includes the following species: maple, white birch, hornbeam, bitter oak, cherry, beech, ash, holm-oak, walnut, olive,
elm, pear, plane, oak and false acacia (those highlighted are among the best wood types).
As seen above, firewood for heating has different features according to the tree species it comes from. There are different types of
wood and their properties in terms of heat value vary from species to species. The heating value of wood fuel (kcal/kg) is the
quantity of heat produced after the complete combustion of 1 kg of wood.
The heating value of the different wood types is not only affected by the density, but also by their moisture content; as a
consequence the output and the efficiency of the appliance is strictly dependent upon the type of wood burned (normally the
heating value of a well seasoned wood is 3200 kcal/kg).
Here find some comparative data:
SOFTWOOD = kcal/kg 2800 - 3400.
HARDWOOD = kcal/kg 3400 - 3900.
WOOD BRIQUETTES = kcal/kg 3850 - 4200.
WOOD PELLET = kcal/kg 4200 - 4600.
Firewood is:
Corticated timber at a natural state, in pieces or not (logs, or briquettes free of any binders or additives, kindling, shavings from
processing trees), deadwood like branches and pine cones.
Wood residues created by the furniture manufacturing or the construction industry, provided they are not painted or treated.
Firewood is not:
Any wood scrap coming from house demolition, restoration or renovation, or coming from packing material (pallets), wooden
furniture, Formica, even if mixed with natural wood.
Any other wood material such as painted, varnished and treated wood scraps even if mixed with natural firewood.
Wood is the only source of energy that is:
Softwood produces more creosote with consequential need for more frequent cleaning of your chimney flue.
The only fuel admitted for the appliance use is firewood and its by-products.
The use of any other type of solid fuel (e.g. coal) is FORBIDDEN.
If possible, avoid the use of resinous wood as it can produce obstructions, which damage the inner parts of the
appliance firebox and the chimney flue.
ENGLISH
TECH 3 11