55
Rev. 05/2020
CHAPTER 16
ASHES
Ash Management and Ash Removal
1)
If ash management is deficient, the HEATMOR™ will not perform to its optimum.
It is time well spent to ensure proper ash management. In the long run, the operator
will be paid back many times over in higher efficiency and better performance.
Improper ash management results in one unfavorable condition starting a chain
reaction of additional problems.
2) Allow
all
wood in the firebox to fully burn out every day or two, and use this
opportunity to rake the ashes in the firebox, down into the grates. By timing the
loading of wood so the HTF temperature drops approximately 10 degrees below the
low HTF temperature set-point, means all fuel in the firebox is used up, and the only
thing burning are the ashes. An hour or two of this condition will ensure an easy,
smoke free opportunity to rake the ashes.
3) When all fuel has been burned out of the ashes, they will be a pale brown color. With
a light raking assistance, they will fall through the grates into the ash pan below. It is
best to rake the area over the grate, every day, such that the grates are at least 25
percent clear of ash. This allows upward movement of combustion air.
NOTE:
You Can Obtain Ash Rakes From Your Local Dealer
4)
If the ashes don’t flow into the ash pan while being raked, the ash pan is possibly full.
Removing the ashes from the ash pan before it is completely full ensures the proper
airflow from below the grates is maintained and also ensures the ashes can drop
through the grates into the ash pan.
NOTE:
Ashes should be removed before the ash pan is completely full.
5) Be careful not to pull the ashes too close to the front (or the rear) of the firebox,
blocking off the combustion airflow from the air boxes.
6) Do not allow ashes to build up on top of the grates. Air needs to flow through the
grates to fuel the fire. A blocked grate can cause inefficient or non-existent combustion
conditions.
7) A rule of thumb is to remove ashes every two weeks.
8) Wood has a high amount of minerals as well as ash content and may form “clinkers”.
It is recommended to agitate the wood/ash on the grates with rake as often as every
12 hours to break these up and cause ashes to fall through the grates. Any large
pieces that don’t break can be removed with a spade or fire tongs.
9) Completely burned ashes will appear like flour. They may be dusty when being
removed with the auger.
A particle mask should be worn when removing ashes
with the auger.
10) Removed ashes should be stored in a
steel
container, sealed with a
steel
tight fitting
lid, and placed in an area free of combustible materials for a few days, to allow the
ashes to completely cool before being disposed.
