There are requirements for the combustion of reed that must be met to ensure a smooth process. Naturally the material must be dry and depending on the combustion method and boiled it has to be baled into suitable tight bales, shredded into small enough chips or pelletized. The combustion characteristics of reed are examined at a thermal plant and experiences from reed pellet use are gathered from small real estate heaters.

The reed biomass must be prepared for the combustion process. As a result, the material is more dense in energy and combustion properties are better. In addition, the densification of the reed biomass will make it more cost efficient for transport.

Reed must be prepared into

• tight bales,
• small chips,
• pellets or
• briquettes.

Mikko Moisalo, from the degree programme of mechanical engineering, researched in his thesis the utilization of reed as a local bioenergy. The work was part of the Cofreen Project. The research was carried out for example with test combustions.

• Mikko Moisalo: Utilizing reed as a local bioenergy (In finnish)

The latvian project partner, Videsprojekti, examined Common reed biomass opportunities for production of biofuels and briquettes.

• Common reed biomass opportunities for production of biofuel pellets and briquettes (English Summary)