Industrial process heating across India still relies heavily on furnace oil, LDO, and natural gas boilers. While reliable, these fuels are imported, volatile in price, and carbon-intensive.
Biomass pellets, produced from agro-residues, sawdust, and other waste biomass, have emerged as a sustainable, cost-effective, and domestically available alternative. They deliver comparable steam output while significantly reducing both operating costs and emissions.
Understanding the fundamental differences between renewable biomass pellets and traditional coal
| Parameter | Furnace Oil / Gas | Biomass Pellets |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Fossil (non-renewable) | Renewable, carbon-neutral |
| Calorific Value | 10,000–10,500 kcal/kg (Oil) 8,500–9,000 kcal/Nm³ (Gas) |
3,800–4,500 kcal/kg |
| Moisture Content | <0.1% | 5–10% |
| Ash Content | Negligible | 1–5% (feedstock dependent) |
| Fuel Density | ~0.9 ton/m³ | 0.65–0.75 ton/m³ |
| Boiler Type | Fire tube / Package / Coil type | Hybrid / Modified Fire tube |
| Combustion System | Oil/gas burner | Pellet feeding + furnace grate |
| Automation | Fully automatic | Semi or fully automatic options |
5,600 hrs/year
| Steam Capacity (TPH) | Fuel Cost (Oil/Gas) (₹ Cr/yr) | Fuel Cost (Pellets) (₹ Cr/yr) | Annual Savings (₹ Cr) | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 TPH | 2.52 | 1.57 | 0.95 | ~1 month |
| 2 TPH | 5.04 | 3.14 | 1.90 | <1 month |
| 4 TPH | 10.08 | 6.28 | 3.80 | <1 month |
| 6 TPH | 15.12 | 9.42 | 5.70 | <1 month |
| 8 TPH | 20.16 | 12.56 | 7.60 | <1 month |
| 10 TPH | 25.20 | 15.70 | 9.50 | <1 month |
| Parameter | Oil / Gas Boiler | Biomass Pellet Boiler |
|---|---|---|
| CO₂ Emissions | High (≈3.2 tons CO₂/ton oil) | Carbon neutral (biogenic) |
| SOx/NOx Emissions | Moderate | Very Low |
| Particulates | Low to medium | Slightly higher but controllable with cyclones or scrubbers |
| Ash Generation | Negligible | 1–5%, recyclable |
| Carbon Credit Eligibility | No | Yes |
Retrofit Scope & Payback
Biomass pellets are produced from agricultural residues and wood waste. Rovita Green Energy ensures
Transitioning from oil/gas to biomass pellets offers clear economic, environmental, and strategic advantages. Even with 1–5% ash generation, automated handling systems make operations clean and efficient.
Biomass pellets offer a viable and environmentally friendly alternative to coal , especially in the context of global decarbonization efforts. The moisture content (8–14%) and ash content (5–15%) are manageable in modern power plants, and biomass is a strong option for reducing emissions compared to coal.
With reliable pellet supply, boiler conversion technology, and service support from Rovita Green Energy LLP, industries can achieve sustainable, cost-effective, and low-carbon steam generation.
