Is Particulate Matter the cause of worry for you?
1. The Particulate Matter from biomass combustion depend on several factors such as boiler design, properties of biomass fuel, pollution control devices, combustion characteristics, ash handling etc.
2. PM10, can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. PM2.5, are more dangerous because they can get into the deep parts of the lungs or even into your blood.
3. NCR to limit Particulate Matter (PM) emission standards for boilers at 80 mg/Nm3 to cut down on pollution levels in the region. Similarly, Sikkim Pollution Control Board (SPCB) allows emissions only up to 150 mg/Nm3.
4. Steamax introduced Oil to Biomass Retrofit (OBR) Kit, significantly reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
5. The OBR allows oil and gas-fired boilers to use biomass while keeping the particulate emissions below 80 mg/Nm3.
Burning biomass releases pollutants like Particulate Matter, Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide etc. Compared to gas, biomass emits 50 times as many toxic pollutants. About 52% of the global population relies on biomass fuel. In India, about 78% of the population depends on biomass as a fuel for heating and cooking purposes. Biomass burning is a significant cause of air pollution. It has severe impacts on both public health and climate.

What is Particulate Matter?
Particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in air, many of which are hazardous. These particles may include Dirt, Soot, Smoke, Drops of liquid etc. The particles are directly emitted, for instance, when fuel is burnt, and the wind carries dust.
Breathing in particle pollution is harmful to health. Coarse (bigger) particles, called PM10, can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Fine (more minor) particles, called PM2.5, are more dangerous because they can get into the deep parts of the lungs or even into your blood.
Particulate Emissions norms in India
Burning of any fuel results in particulate matter emissions. However, pollution control boards set the allowed limit for emissions which may differ from state to state. For example, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed industries in NCR to limit Particulate Matter (PM) emission standards for boilers at 80 mg/Nm3 while aiming to keep the emissions at 50 mg/Nms to cut down on pollution levels in the region. Similarly, Sikkim Pollution Control Board (SPCB) allows emissions only up to 150 mg/Nm3.
There is a conception that biomass is polluting and may lead to more significant particulate emissions. However, this isn’t always the case. The emissions from biomass combustion depend on several factors such as boiler design, properties of biomass fuel, pollution control devices, combustion characteristics, ash handling etc.

OBR, ensuring particulate emissions in limit
Steamax introduced Oil to Biomass Retrofit (OBR) Kit, significantly reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The OBR allows oil and gas-fired boilers to use biomass while keeping the particulate emissions below 80 mg/Nm3. We have been able to achieve this due to three reasons:
- OBR uses clean biomass fuels with high calorific value and low ash content, such as Astillas and pellets. Thus, OBR ensures cleaner combustion and minimal emissions.
- OBR has an automatic fuel feeding system. Manual feeding of biomass results in incomplete combustion, uncontrolled excess air, and lower furnace temperatures, which increase pollution emissions.
- OBR includes highly efficient pollution control devices such as Multi clone Dust Collectors (MDC), bag filters, wet scrubbers etc., as per the state norms.
So, are you still worried about the fuel prices crisis? OBR ensures about a 40-50% reduction in fuel costs compared to gas and oils. Take a green shift towards biomass with Steamax. Please be free to contact us with your queries at – +91-9315124803 (Aditya Mahajan) or mail us at – Info@steamaxindia.com.