Corn Boilers


Corn Boilers

A corn boiler is exactly as the name suggests, a hydronic boiler heating system that is fueled by burning shelled corn instead of traditional fossil fuel sources such as oil or propane gas. Corn burning boilers are commonly used in corn growing areas as an economical method of providing heating and hot water for homes and businesses. Heat is distributed throughout the buildings using radiators, baseboard heaters or hydronic radiant based under floor heating.

Just as with conventional boiler systems, corn burning boilers are available as closed system or open vented system versions. Most modern systems are closed systems. A closed system is the where the same water or liquid heated by the boiler is simply circulated around an enclosed pressurised heating distribution circuit (radiators, baseboard heaters, under floor heating pipes etc.).

Hot water can also be supplied from a closed system corn boiler by installing an indirect water heater onto the circuit. An indirect water heater which is basically a hot water storage tank with a internal heat exchanger coil. Hot water from the boiler is pumped though the heat exchanger coil to heat up the water in the indirect hot water heater tank. The hot water flowing from the boiler is usually switched between the heating distribution circuit or the hot water tank by a 3-way valve controlled by the heating system controller. A typical 3 way valve installation usually gives priority to providing a hot water supply over domestic heating.

Water exands as it is heated and in a pressurised closed system corn boiler circuit needs somewhere to go. A correctly sized expansion tank must be fitted into the circuit capable of taking up the the maximum expansion. On closed systems, a pressure relief valve must be fitted. Should the pressure in the system exceed thirty pounds per square inch due to a malfunction, the pressure relief valve will open and discharge water or even steam from the system. The discharge must be routed safely. A qualified professional installer should oversee the installation of a corn boiler system to ensure that all safety standards and any local regulations are fully complied with.

When there is insufficient space to install an indoor corn boiler in your home an option to consider is an outdoor corn boiler. Several manufacturers have outdoor corn boiler models and they usually feature large fuel hoppers, and so require less frequent filling