Solid fuel boiler with a bunker that burns wood chips

In Ukraine, many people have been switching to renewable heating sources in recent years. In rural areas, small (10-40 kW) solid fuel boilers are often installed. The fuel for them is made from wood residues, branches, corn cobs, and stalks. This is quite economical.
The video shows such a boiler running on wood chips. The boiler is controlled by an automatic unit that maintains a constant temperature of the coolant and controls the air supply. A control panel on the wall controls the fuel bunker, feeds fuel into the boiler, and periodically stirs the fuel to prevent it from clumping.

Have you looked at the Rocket Mass Heater as a better alternative?

Anne Miller wrote:Have you looked at the Rocket Mass Heater as a better alternative?

In the case described, it is not applicable. We needed to create an economical heating system for a three-story building with fairly strict safety requirements.

Hello from Canada.  Some of my ancestors came here from Sokal and Lviv.

Were you mainly looking to share the technology or looking for feedback?
If the latter, and to be sure that I understand correctly, does this three storey building house multiple units or just one?  I am interested in the labour availability.  It appears that the automation makes it fairly low maintenance if electricity is available.  Knowing that Russia is targeting your energy infrastructure during winters, I do hope there is a way to manually feed it fuel if the power goes out.

Riley

This boiler with a bunker heats the elementary and high schools. To be honest, there are two buildings... It is quite easy to maintain. An electronic controller monitors the temperature of the water, the outside air, and the air inside the building. If desired, the temperature can be increased or decreased. You can even set day and night heating modes.
An employee is only needed to fill the bunker with wood chips/pellets.
If the power goes out, the boiler will continue to operate, the water will flow by gravity, and fuel can be loaded into the upper hatch, but in this case, it is better to use logs or briquettes. Therefore, we recommend having a small supply of firewood... or an electric generator...

Out of curiosity, how long could a person expect to run the boiler with a full hopper of chips/pellets? Is there an average idea of run time?

Timothy Norton wrote:Out of curiosity, how long could a person expect to run the boiler with a full hopper of chips/pellets? Is there an average idea of run time?

Minimum 2 days, maximum 5, if the temperature is set to minimum or it is warm outside.