CORN
FACTS
Cost Comparison:
Energy Source(moisture)
|
Efficiency
|
Price/unit
|
UNIT |
BTU/Unit
|
(Price/Units)/1M BTU's
|
^ Wood
(20%)
|
50 % |
$ 200.00 |
Cord |
28,200,000
|
$
14.18
|
| * Shelled Corn
(15%) |
88 % |
$
3.29 |
Bag |
231,000 |
$ 16.18
|
| * Wood
Pellets |
88 %
|
$
6.29
|
Bag |
410,000 |
$ 17.43
|
* Fuel Oil
|
80 % |
$
2.80 |
Gal. |
138,700 |
$ 25.23
|
| * Propane |
90 % |
$
2.70 |
Gal. |
95,861 |
$ 31.30
|
* Electric
|
100 % |
$
0.15 |
KW/hr |
3,413 |
$
43.95 |
* From Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and
Rural Affairs, pricing updated
^ University California Cooperative
Extension
Shelled Corn (15%) vs. Wood
Pellets 11.0% Less
Expensive
Shelled Corn (15%) vs. Fuel
Oil
50.4% Less
Expensive
Shelled Corn (15%) vs.
Propane
82.9% Less
Expensive
Shelled Corn (15%) vs.
Electric
166.7% Less
Expensive
Corn Storage:
Proper storage of shelled corn is important for good performance of a
corn-burning stove. The corn must be stored in a clean, dry
environment. It should not be stored directly in contact with a
concrete or dirt floor. If the corn is in bags, the bags should be
stacked on a pallet in an area free of rodents, birds, squirrels, and
other varmints 2. Be sure to keep surrounding storage area clear
of loose corn kernels. Area cleanliness will drastically reduce
the chances of attracting unwanted critters.
Moisture Content:
The moisture content of the shelled corn should be no higher than 15.5%
for storage. Higher moisture contents will result in the growth of mold
and mildew in the corn, thereby leading to spoilage of the corn.
Whenever the moisture content of the corn is above 15.5%, then there
will be less heat available from each pound of shelled corn. For each
one percent increase in moisture content above 15.5%, there will be a
corresponding reduction of about 90 BTU of heat per pound of shelled
corn. Some models of corn burning stoves and boilers may require that
the moisture content of the shelled corn be as low as 13% to get
efficient combustion of the corn 2, however Bixby Corn Stoves are able
to burn corn with a moisture content of up to 19% . Green Heat only
sells corn with moisture content below 15.5%.
Cleanliness of Shelled Corn:
The shelled corn needs to be clean, with a minimum of broken kernels
and foreign materials (cob pieces, husks, stalks, stones, and other
residue). The foreign materials increase fly ash in the burn chamber.
This increases the amount of cleaning and maintenance required.
Green Heat cleans all it’s bagged corn.
Net Greenhouse Effect:
Corn burning does not contribute to increased green house gases.
Corn breathes in CO2 as it grows, and removes it from the atmosphere.
An acre of corn will use up about 25 metric tons of carbon in the form
of CO2. If we burn biomass efficiently (which extracts the energy
stored in the chemical bonds), then oxygen from the atmosphere combines
with the carbon in plants to produce carbon dioxide and water 1.
Disposal of Ash:
Burning shelled corn yields less ash residue than burning firewood or
cinders from burning coal. Corn ash has some modest value as a
fertilizer and as a liming agent, with no evidence of heavy metals or
any other contaminants. The corn ash (after cooling) can be safely
applied to garden areas, flower beds, lawns, and fields.
Other Stoves:
Most Pellet Stoves will burn a mixture of shelled corn and wood
pellets. This allows pellet stoves to operate less expensively
since corn is cheaper and more available locally. Check with your stove
manufacturer for details.
