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Show 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 History and Background Wood is an energy source that has been used as a fuel since the discovery of fire. Before fossil fuels became the primary source of energy, wood provided the heat for residential and commercial facilities as well as the energy to power industrial operations. Wood was used to produce steam for locomotives and manufacturing plants for many years. As coal, oil, and gas became more economical energy sources, the technology for wood use as a fuel source declined. However, wood burning equipment has not been completely neglected by the forest products industry, largely because of the disposal problems associated with waste residue such as sawdust, planer shavings, bark and slabs. Many large pulp and paper mills have never considered wood waste a real problem since they utilize it as a source of economical and readily available energy. But generally speaking, wood has not been used to any great extent for several reasons: 1. low BTU output per comparable volume to other fuels, 2. handling difficulties, and 3. extremely large volume needed for most applications. The energy crisis is beginning to change all this and the status of wood as a fuel is improving tremendously. Biomass (vegetation fiber-derived organic), which includes forest and wood products, is now recognized as a viable energy source. It is plentiful, renewable, expandable, virtually pollution-free and grows locally in the communities where it can be used. In recent years, with the coming of the energy -risis non-forest products industries and government have Legun 26-2 |