Coal Size

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Kungur
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Post by Kungur » Mon. Jan. 19, 2009 6:43 pm

I was wondering about the different size coal. My Alaska 140 uses Rice which seems to be the standard. What would happen if you used a different size? Like Buckwheat?

 
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coalkirk
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Stoker Coal Boiler: 1981 EFM DF520 retired
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Coal Size/Type: Lehigh anthracite/rice coal

Post by coalkirk » Mon. Jan. 19, 2009 6:47 pm

I tried burning buck in my boiler and found I don't have adequate draft for it. The fire would burn back into the hopper every time. Other have had sucess burning buck in a Harman stoker with better draft and running the combustion fan constantly. I don't know about the Alaska.


 
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DOUG
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Post by DOUG » Mon. Jan. 19, 2009 6:58 pm

I'm using buckwheat in my Tri-burners. I don't think it burns as completely as rice coal, with the original set up. It does give off as much heat compared to the very little amount of rice that I've burned in it. I think Reading Stove recommends rice coal but buckwheat can be burned also without the best efficiency. They once told me if you run it hot or on high heat demand it works well and it's been burning pretty well so far. I wouldn't hesitate trying some. I found the completeness of the burn is all in the timing and the draft. Without a separate combustion blower added is the only time I didn't have have complete combustion. With the now added separate combustion blower, I noticed that even the larger pieces in the buckwheat, pea to almost nut size in the mix, burn almost completely. I'd seriously consider adding a separate combustion blower to your Tri-burner. It really makes a tremendous difference. :idea: :) DOUG

 
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steevesj
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Post by steevesj » Mon. Jan. 19, 2009 7:35 pm

coalkirk wrote:I tried burning buck in my boiler and found I don't have adequate draft for it. The fire would burn back into the hopper every time. Other have had sucess burning buck in a Harman stoker with better draft and running the combustion fan constantly. I don't know about the Alaska.
I thought if you had too much draft the fire burned back into the hopper not too little? Maybe I'm confused. For example my parents direct vent Kaa2 burning buckwheat draft was not set properly. Too high of a draft and they had a hopper fire. It must have been over .06. Once we adjusted it between .01-.02 there has never been a problem.
Jon

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