The company, whose ‘Nittoku Way’ philosophy includes a commitment khổng lồ future generations, is supplying precision NTK Vehicle Electronics oxygen sensors lớn monitor the air-fuel mixture in biomass heating systems; a growing, carbon-neutral way to heat homes and businesses. With its precision oxygen sensors selected by H&S Kabeltechnik, a major supplier of cables, plugs và sensors to lớn biomass boiler manufacturers, NGK SPARK PLUG has been contributing lớn a more sustainable future for more than a decade.
Environmental advantages in focus Virtually unlimited resource: Wood is a renewable raw material that is available relatively locally worldwide, making it sustainable as long as new trees are grown to lớn replace those used Lower energy manufacture: The production of (for example) wood pellets requires far less energy than finite fuels such as oil or gas Carbon neutral: Biomass combustion releases only the same amount of CO2 when burned as the tree or plant absorbed during its growing lifetime Low emission: Because biomass combustion takes place at a temperature where atmospheric oxygen và nitrogen can chemically combine, biomass boilers generally produce less NOx than oil boilers. They also produce no oxides of sulphur (SOx) & no smoke if the fuel is dry | Expansion potential In practical terms, biomass, short for ‘biological mass’, refers to lớn any fuel material derived from an organic (plant or animal) source. In the field of renewable heating, that means any solid fuel that can be burned in a biomass boiler; most commonly wood pellets, chips or logs. The type of biomass boiler chosen may be low temperature hot water (LTHW), high temperature hot water (HTHW) or steam, depending on available space & the amount and temperature of heat demanded. “Although biomass central heating and hot water boilers are still relatively uncommon compared with conventional oil, gas or coal-fired types, their use is likely khổng lồ increase significantly,” explains Alexander Schwier (Head of Global Key trương mục Management Daimler AG OE) at NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE. “Around six million heating systems are produced annually across Europe, of which around 250,000 (4%) currently use biomass fuel. However, biomass boilers deliver all the cost và eco-advantages required by the modern world, plus they can be retrofitted. That means we are likely to see a big uptake of biomass for heating in residential buildings, offices, restaurants, hotels, hospitals và factories in the coming years.” |
Affordability & sustainability
The advantages of biomass boilers over fossil fuel types are clear. Biomass brings the attraction of greater affordability, thanks khổng lồ EU-wide subsidies encouraging the switch from oil & often lower ongoing fuel costs. Importantly, biomass is also renewable, carbon neutral và low emission when burned; offering major environmental benefits over fossil fuels.
How oxygen sensors help
To optimise these advantages and encourage market growth, however, highly accurate air-fuel measurements are essential. Johannes Wader, Director Special Projects OE at NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE explains: “Oxygen sensors are as important lớn biomass boilers as they are lớn automotive internal combustion engines. In both applications, the sensor reports the percentage of oxygen in the residual exhaust gas lớn an electronic control unit, which adjusts the air-fuel mixture as closely lớn an optimal – low emission generating – combustion.”
Continuous data from a precision oxygen sensor is therefore key to lớn maintaining the perfect air-fuel ratio. “Without it, the boiler’s combustion control system cannot effectively lower harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions or minimise consumption of the biomass fuel,” emphasises Mr. Wader.
Partners in technology
In 2009, long-established cable assembly, plug connection and oxygen sensor suppliers H&S Kabeltechnik selected NGK SPARK PLUG as its trusted oxygen sensor provider; a significant endorsement of the company’s world leadership in sensor innovation. Throughout their 11-year relationship, the two companies have worked closely together lớn help achieve advances in the important biomass field.
Christian Hochegger, Managing Director of H&S Kabeltechnik confirms: “We have specialised in supplying assembled cables khổng lồ a number of industries worldwide from our bases in Austria and Hungary for 15 years. The potential for biomass heating systems in particular is huge – & it’s a market where precision counts. That’s why we only appoint partners who cốt truyện our expectation of technical perfection.”
“After previously unsatisfying experiences with other partners we found that NGK SPARK PLUG not only offered world-class chất lượng sensors, but would also work with us khổng lồ develop three, zirconium dioxide and wideband-type oxygen sensors specifically khổng lồ enhance the efficiency of biomass boilers. From concepts và innovation lớn manufacture và a presence at international heating trade fairs, it has been a fruitful và highly cooperative partnership,” says Markus Schroll, Managing Director of H&S Kabeltechnik.
Xem thêm: 10 Cách Chuyển File Word To Pdf, Chuyển Đổi Word Sang Pdf
Further initiatives
Beyond biomass, opportunities lớn improve the eco-credentials of gas boilers are also being progressed by NGK SPARK PLUG & H&S Kabeltechnik. “For space reasons biomass heating systems aren’t always suitable for use, especially in urban areas. Gas boilers are the usual choice, but currently their output đầu ra is only controlled by engine speed, with the air-gas mixture pre-set. Because gas quality varies greatly around the world, efficiency and low emissions are therefore not guaranteed,” says NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE’s Johannes Wader. With this in mind the two companies are jointly exploring ways of introducing oxygen sensors to detect the unique of gas boiler combustion; thereby increasing efficiency và reducing emissions. Pioneering projects with major manufacturers are already underway, with the first tests due to start by next year.
Environmental mission
NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE’s Alexander Schwier adds that the company’s transfer of its state-of-the-art sensor expertise to lớn heating systems is just part of a wider commitment. “Biomass & gas fit into our strategic goals lớn develop into new, sustainable business fields, such as energy and the environment. By applying our knowledge in automotive ignition và sensor technologies in this way, we can vày our bit towards a more energy efficient, environmentally friendly society.”