B100 Heating is Here

Carbon reduction policy is now the norm for the Northeastern States. Renewable low-carbon and zero-carbon energy sources are being aggressively pursued. Among them, solar and wind seem to get the most publicity and both provide exceptionally clean energy. In the mix of clean-energy fuels are those liquid versions that work so well and effectively in liquid fuel fired heating—primarily biodiesel (ASTM 6751). Biodiesel has been used in liquid fuel heating for close to two decades, blended with standard heating oil, and for each drip of biodiesel blended, the carbon emissions drop. Since it is still a liquid fuel, the infrastructure, delivery, storage, and management remain the same, requiring little to no modification—freeing the industry to move forward. The transition to higher blends has been ongoing during this time, and along with it, the updating of codes and standards, like ASTM and UL, that ensure safe and effective operation.

The past year saw significant leaps in the heating systems available with the ability to be powered by the lowest carbon liquid heating fuel, B-100. Energy Kinetics, a boiler and integrated systems manufacturer from Lebanon, NJ, announced the 100% biodiesel blend listing for their complete line of residential and commercial heat and hot water boilers. This followed the necessary preliminary step of having B100 burners. During the past 12 months, both R. W. Beckett Corp. and Carlin Combustion Technology launched their respective lines of burners rated by UL to operate on 100% biodiesel, as well as blends of biodiesel and fuel oil. Years of collaboration with these industry partners, along with NORA’s R&D division based in Plainview, NY, enabled the development and deployment of these burners on Energy Kinetics B100 boilers.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps the oilheat industry meet aggressive decarbonization goals.

In addition to biodiesel and blends providing a significant evolution in the oilheat industry toward sustainability and a low-carbon future, energy savings can provide a remarkable force multiplier. The NORA Report on its Equipment Upgrade Incentive Project demonstrates 25% average savings when upgrading from older boilers to systems that incorporate Energy Kinetics’ well insulated, low mass, thermal purge design strategy. For forward-looking fuel dealers that offer biodiesel blends or even B100, combined with an upgrade of their customers’ boilers, can cut carbon emissions by almost 85%—all the while significantly reducing heat and hot water costs.

According to Energy Kinetics’ President, Roger Marran, “Several decades of research on renewable liquid heating fuels, the advancements made with biofuels, updated UL and other standards, and many years of R&D and field testing have opened a unique and powerful pathway for remarkably clean low carbon heat and hot water systems. Introducing our line of fully compatible B100 listed boilers means that clean and reliable operation is now available for all biodiesel blends from straight oilheat through 100% biodiesel. Combined with the efficiencies gained with our boilers, emissions and fuel use are reduced even further, achieving outstanding results with even lower fuel bills.”

Energy Kinetics boiler design strategy begins at the heart of the heating system with a focus on exceptional burner combustion. This is achieved with high performance ceramic and high-temperature alloy combustion chamber designs. The company then builds a specially formulated low mass steel spiral boiler around that heart of the system. This provides near perfect combustion for clean burning operation with oilheat, natural gas, and propane, and now seamlessly integrates with new burner technology with up to 100% biodiesel (B100).

Additional technology enabling industry leading energy savings includes the Energy Manager boiler control with thermal purge—a highly effective energy recovery feature, and integration with a unique plate heat exchanger heated hot water storage tank.

The combination results in proven 30-year lifecycle boiler designs that optimize comfort, savings, serviceability, and overall performance.

NORA was authorized by Congress in 2000 to generate funding, from within the industry, allowing the liquid fuel industry to provide more efficient and more reliable heat and hot water to American consumers. NORA’s efforts focus on Energy Efficiency, Environmental Responsibility, Safety, Research & Development and Professional Education, with particular emphasis on transitioning heating oil and its appliances to a low-carbon source of heat and hot water. For more information on NORA’s activities go to NORAweb.org.