The Dangers of a Wood Burning Fire A wood burning fire can be a comfortable and enjoyable experience. It can also release toxic by-products of combustion. It is important to understand the way wood burns and how to properly use your fireplace. Choose mature logs or kiln dried logs. Logs that are seasoned hold less moisture, and they are able to burn longer and hotter than unseasoned logs. Burning Time The burning of wood to generate heat is a well-known and efficient method of heating. This kind of fire can release pollutants both indoors and outdoors that are detrimental to the human body. A well-designed fireplace can minimize the negative impacts of burning wood. The length of time that a wood fire lasts is determined by the temperature at which it is. The temperature of the fire can affect the amount of smoke released and the amount of carbon monoxide released. Carbon monoxide can make it difficult for occupants to escape a burning building when the levels are too high. To avoid this, it is important to keep the fire at an unheated level. In the first phase of a wood fire, volatile gases like methane and methanol are released from cellulose of the wood. These gases are combustible but non-combustible, based on the moisture levels and the pyrolysis temperature of the sample. The temperature of process can rise to 320 degrees Celsius. At this point cellulose begins to decompose and form tar and charcoal. This process is known as wood pyrolysis. In small wood burning stove to the volatile gases burning wood releases a myriad of other harmful combustion products, like dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs have been linked to cancer and other diseases, both in humans and in animals. They also can affect soil and water. To lessen the negative harmful effects of PAHs wood should be burned in a ventilated area. A wood stove with an extended burn capacity can maintain visible flames while using a minimal amount of fuel. This technique involves laying down wood with lighter kindling and larger pieces to avoid the fire burning out too quickly. This method can be used for the purpose of creating high temperatures, either over night or during your work hours. The duration of a fire is determined by various factors, including the moisture content in the wood. Dry wood burns more quickly than damp wood. The absorptivity of the sample surface also affects its burning time. Simms [59] discovered that the critical heat flux required to ignite Mahogany and Oak samples with coated surfaces was significantly lower than without them. Temperature The temperature of the fire is very crucial. It determines how quickly it burns and the heat it produces. It also influences how dangerous it is when someone is burned. It can also affect the amount of smoke produced. If there is too much smoke, it can irritate the eyes and throat which is why people should avoid breathing it in. When wood burns, it creates a lot of heat, and it can reach very high temperatures. The temperature of the fire will be affected by the type of wood used and the moisture content. Wet wood, for example will burn at lower temperatures than dry wood. This is due to the fact that wet wood will absorb more water, and therefore less heat. It is essential to use dry wood and you should make sure that the wood is well-seasoned before burning it. When the wood reaches its maximum temperature of combustion, it will release a great deal of heat and ash. The amount of ash that is released will depend on the kind of wood that is being burned and the heat at which it burns. Some woods such as oak and larch create very little ash. The Birch wood can produce a large amount of Ash. As the wood burns it will go through the pyrolysis process in three stages. This process starts with a chemical reaction that converts the organic compounds found in the wood into carbon dioxide and methane. The gas produced is taken up by the air. When the wood is heated, these gases will rise, and ignite the surface of the wood, creating an ember that heats the wood until it explodes. The temperature of a wood-burning fire can be very high, and can cause damage to surfaces if it comes into contact with them. It is also important to avoid touching the fire with your naked skin as it can cause burns. You can lessen the risk of burns by wearing a pair of gloves and working in a well-ventilated space. A mask is recommended when working with wood-burning fires to prevent inhaling smoke. Smoke Wood burning fires generate smoke and a mix of fine particles and gases (also known as particulate matter or PM) that are harmful air pollutants. PM from wood combustion can contain harmful organic compounds like formaldehyde, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as mineral particles such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These particles can cause variety of health problems, including respiratory and cancer. Inhaling wood smoke can also cause people to inhale CO, which is an odorless and colorless gas that is deadly in small doses. The smoke that is produced by a wood-fire comes mainly from volatile organic compounds (hydrocarbons) which are vaporized from the burning material. The smoke also contains water vapor, the byproducts of incomplete combustion (such as creosote) as well as some unburned Ash. It is best to make use of seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. Split logs that have been stored out of the elements and dried for a certain amount of time until they attain an average moisture content of 20 to 25 percent, will burn more slowly and produce less creosote. Knocking a log on both sides is a good method to determine the amount of moisture. A damp log will sound dull, while wood that is seasoned will sound sharp. The smoke and other combustion by-products are expelled through the chimney. If the ventilation system in the home is inadequate and the chimney is not properly ventilated, it may be unable draw enough air, and create a back draft. This can cause byproducts from the fire to accumulate within the home. This can cause the buildup of dangerous carbon monoxide, as well as flammable creosote as well as cinders. Smoke from wood-burning fires could be particularly harmful to people over the age of 65, those suffering from lung or heart conditions, children, and outdoor avids. Smoke from wildfires can be harmful to the health of older people, those who suffer from lung or heart disease, children, and those who are active outdoors. Safety There are a few precautions you can take when using a fire that is wood-burning to reduce the risk. Always use an electric fireplace or wood stove screen and keep anything that is flammable at 3 feet away. Additionally, you should have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide in your home, which will alert you if any dangerous gases are detected. It is also important to not leave a fire burning unattended, as even a tiny spark could result in an explosion. In the same way, you should only use a metal shovel and ash bucket to remove ashes from your fireplace or wood stove and keep it away from anything flammable. Lighting the Fire To light the fire, lay down a layer of clefts and dry logs on the top of a bed ash. Then add a layer of twigs and other kindling to the pile. Make sure that there is enough space between each piece of wood to allow air circulation, which will help prevent the fire from dying out too quickly. If you require assistance in getting your fire going Try adding some firelighters to the mix. Open windows to let the fire get the oxygen it requires to ignite brightly. This is especially crucial for modern homes which are usually sealed tightly and have no natural ventilation or drafts. After the fire has started, you can add more wood pieces. It is important to remember that even the most seasoned hardwoods such as oak and hickory will produce plenty of creosote when they are burned. If possible, only burn wood that has been seasoned or kiln dried in order to minimize the chance of creosote forming in your chimney. If you do need to use fresh or green cut firewood, ensure that you do so with great care because it will produce more smoke and could cause more creosote.
small wood burning stove
