Input on Pellet Burner conversion of oil boiler

[Hoval]

Have any of you had any experience with a Pellet Burner conversion? I have a Hoval Multifuel Boiler that I purchased in 1979. I have burned oil in the spring, summer and fall then for the winter I burn chestnut or stove coal. I am look at a PellX or Janfire burner conversion. Both come with the augar for delivery of pellets from a storage bin. I do not have a local delivery for bulk pellets so I will be using bags. I am planning on building a storage unit for about 1,000 to 1,500 pounds of pellets. I have a couple of issues that I am working through. I am waiting for the units to run on 120 V at 60 hz this should be done in the next 4-6 weeks. Most of the units are 230 V 50 hz. I need to increase the port size that the burner goes through into the boiler. My Oil burner is a 4" unit and I need at least 6.25 inches to put the new burner in. Does any one have information or experience with this type of converision?

 

[bigbobs]

Here is a picture of a Janfire burner. This end would go into the boiler. It can be done, but would work better with a boiler that is certified to use this burner. The opening required is rectangular and is fairly large.

 

[Hoval]

This unit looks brand new are you a dealer? Can you supply on tof these units? At what cost? I am also looking at the PellX that is coming to America in the next couple of week in the 120 V 60 Hz style. That unit should be less than $2600. and be self cleaning (the Burner). Accorning to Janfire my fire box will be large enough and as I burn coal, wood, oil, natural gas or LP gas I really want to get into the pellet as well. Talk soon.

 

[Sting]

The boiler your converting was never designed for the frequent cleaning that will be required.

 

[Hoval]

The Hoval ZK 55/50 was made to be cleaned as it has three doors for access, one large door to the Oil burner side plus the top and bottom doors on the coal/wood side as well as a back plate for removal of ash prior to the flue. I know that it is not perfect as I have 3 nuts on the 2' X 3’ door that swings off to the side to gain access to the firebox and heat exchanger. With the burner in place I will need to undo and replace the feed tube as well. I also thought of placing a permanent T pipe, with ½” holes on the bottom side and seal the top of the T ends with pipe caps, on the floor of the firebox with an air tight plate on the outside of the firebox door. My plan is to stop the fire for a ½ hour, then open the plate, slide a vacuum cleaner hose into the lower part of the T and pull the T pipe back and forth a couple of times on the 15” X 2’ flat floor of the fire box to remove the ash. This would take care of minor cleaning say weekly and then a couple of time a year I would open the firebox to clean the heat exchanger and the rest of the fire box. I also have about 4” of the 15” X 2’ floor for ash built up.
Any thoughts?

 

[pybyr]

What's really interesting to me is that I'd tried to get my hands on either a Janfire or Pellx back in the 01/02 era (contacted the OEMS themselves) with no luck; Glad that they are finally trying to/ willing to consider selling to and in the US.