In biomass facilities such as wood chips, one of the key risks is an uncontrolled rise in temperature inside the stored materials. This phenomenon can lead to spontaneous combustion, and thus a real threat to people, infrastructure and the continuity of the heat supply. An effective measurement system should enable accurate monitoring of the stack core temperature, operate reliably under harsh conditions and provide rapid response to irregularities. We were approached with this very problem by an energy group supplying heat to households and industrial facilities. They were looking for a solution that would enable remote, precise temperature measurement of biomass stacks, without the need for extensive cable infrastructure. The goal was also easy data management and the ability to integrate the system into the existing IT environment. Requirements included reliability of operation in changing weather conditions and quick response to temperature increases before an emergency situation could occur. In the rest of the article, we outline how we tackled this challenge, what technological solutions were used and how they enable ongoing temperature monitoring in hard-to-reach locations. We also show what benefits this solution brings to the daily work of operators and safety officers. Keep reading to learn more!
Rising temperature in the center of a biomass pile is a process that can go unnoticed for a long time, until it becomes a real fire hazard. Spontaneous combustion of wood chips is a well-known phenomenon in the industry and, unfortunately, still too often underestimated. High humidity, limited airflow and microbial activity lead to slow but systematic heating of the material from the inside.
From the perspective of heating plant operators, it is crucial not only to meet safety requirements, but also to be able to react quickly to changes in the material. Effective temperature monitoring makes it possible to detect abnormalities at an early stage, reduce the risk of losses and better plan operational activities, especially during periods of increased fuel consumption and intensive operation of biomass storage facilities.
The energy group, which supplies heat to households and businesses, was looking for a solution to effectively monitor the temperature in the woodchip pile. The main goal was to prevent spontaneous combustion and reduce the risk of fire. The customer wanted a system that could accurately measure the core temperature, enabling early detection of danger and quick intervention. It was also important that the solution be efficient and support a proactive approach to ensuring plant safety.
In the context of the customer's operations - which also include the provision of industrial steam, heating, cooling and infrastructure services - a possible fire in the biomass stack would pose a serious threat to service continuity. A solution was needed that would not only provide ongoing temperature monitoring at critical points, but also fit into a strategy for efficient resource management and operational risk mitigation. It was important to implement technology that would enable fast, precise operation without the need for extensive infrastructure.
In the traditional approach, temperature measurement in biomass piles requires extensive cable installation or manual monitoring. This is not only time-consuming, but also has a high risk of delays in responding to dangerous changes. In the installation described here, we relied on a flexible solution based on JUMO Wtrans B wireless temperature sensors, working in conjunction with the JUMO Wtrans T01 receiver and the JUMO Cloud system.
Each probe uses a specially selected Pt100 resistance sensor, which enables precise temperature measurement inside the stack. The data is transmitted via radio to the receiver and then integrated into a cloud platform. The user can access the measurement data via a web browser, set individual alarm thresholds and receive automatic notifications in case of exceedances. The system also allows long-term data archiving and real-time analysis.
The JUMO Wtrans B, JUMO Wtrans T01 and JUMO Cloud wireless sensor is a system that proves itself in demanding conditions for temperature measurement in woodchip heaps.
The use of JUMO Wtrans B sensors and the JUMO Cloud platform allowed the customer to significantly increase the level of control over the temperature in the biomass piles - without having to interfere with the site infrastructure. Measurement is carried out exactly where there is the greatest risk of spontaneous combustion, i.e. in the core of the stored material. With flexible probe placement and wireless data transmission, the system can be easily adapted to the changing structure of the stacks.
Operators have access to real-time data from anywhere, and automatic notifications enable a quick response when set temperature thresholds are exceeded. The implementation of JUMO's solutions has reduced the need for manual monitoring, minimized the risk of fire, and ensured the customer's continuity of plant operations - even during seasons with higher heat demand.
The described project demonstrates that effective management of fire risks in woodchip piles is possible without extensive infrastructure and time-consuming supervision. A wireless measurement system based on JUMO sensors and the data cloud makes it possible to react in advance to dangerous temperature changes, increasing the safety and stability of plant operations.
If you are responsible for the operation of biomass landfills and want to implement a similar solution at your site - contact us. We will show you how to build a monitoring system tailored to your needs!
My name is Natalia and I specialize in content creation. I have been sculpting words professionally for three years as an editor and copywriter. My mission is to break down even the most complex issues. I focus on building relationships with the reader and creating experiences. Privately, a lover of travel, literature and fashion.
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