POPULAR BIOMASS FUELS FOR INDUSTRIAL BOILERS IN VIETNAM

An Nguyên Phát nhiên liệu xanh

The trend of green transformation and carbon emission reduction is driving Vietnamese businesses to gradually replace traditional fuels (coal and oil) with biomass fuel.

The 4 most common biomass fuels used in Vietnam:

1. Wood Pellets

  • Raw materials: sawdust, wood shavings, rubberwood, acacia wood.
  • Calorific Value: 4,200 – 4,600 kcal/kg
  • Moisture Content:< 10%
  • Ash Content: <2%
✅ Advantages: stable combustion, low ash content, widely selected by industrial plants, with large export volumes to South Korea and Japan.
Wood Pellets and Packaging Methods

2. Rice Husk Pellets

  • Raw materials: rice husk from rice milling factories.
  • Calorific Value: 3,600 – 4,000 kcal/kg
  • Moisture Content: < 12%
  • Ash Content: 12–18%
    ✅ Advantages: low cost and abundant supply in the Mekong Delta region.
Rice Husk Pellets – Packaging Methods

3. Cashew Shell Biomass

  • Raw materials: cashew shells after oil extraction.
  • Calorific Value: >4,600 kcal/kg
  • Moisture Content: < 12%
  • Ash Content: < 3%
    ✅ Advantages: high heat generation, more competitive pricing than wood pellets, and stable year-round supply.
Cashew Shell Biomass and Packaging & Transportation Methods

4. Wood Chips

  • Raw materials: acacia wood, rubberwood, wood offcuts, tree stumps, and branches.
  • Calorific Value: 3,800 – 4,200 kcal/kg
  • Moisture Content: 30–50%
    ✅ Advantages: low cost, suitable for large-capacity chain grate boilers and fluidized bed boilers.
Wood Chips in Dong Nai and Binh Duong, Vietnam

Conclusion:

Depending on the boiler type, heat requirements, and fuel budget, businesses can select the most suitable biomass fuel option.