Industrial heating is undergoing a fundamental shift. With rising fuel costs, increasing pressure to reduce emissions, and the need to extract maximum efficiency from every unit of energy, biomass-fired boiler systems—especially those equipped with travelling grate technology—are emerging as one of the most reliable, scalable, and environmentally friendly solutions.
Among various combustion technologies available today, the Biomass Fired Boilers – Travelling Grate combination stands out for its high efficiency, fuel flexibility, and capacity to handle demanding industrial operations. When engineered correctly, a travelling grate system ensures consistent combustion, uniform fuel distribution, and stable steam generation, making it the preferred choice across industries such as power, textiles, chemicals, distilleries, FMCG, and agro-processing.
In this comprehensive guide, we will dive deep into travelling grate systems, how they work, why they are ideal for biomass fuels, and what makes manufacturers like Cheema Boilers, Mohali a trusted name in this field.
What Are Biomass Fired Travelling Grate Boilers?
A biomass-fired travelling grate boiler is an industrial steam generation system where solid fuels such as wood chips, bagasse, rice husk, palm shells, briquettes, and other agro-waste are burned on a continuously moving grate.
The travelling grate acts as the heart of the combustion system. It moves the fuel bed slowly across the furnace, allowing each portion of the fuel to go through drying, ignition, burning, and burnout stages systematically. As the grate moves, ash falls off at the discharge end, enabling continuous ash discharge without interrupting the combustion process.
This design ensures:
Efficient and complete combustion
Continuous operation
Uniform burning
Reduced clinker formation
Lower fuel wastage
When paired with biomass, travelling grate boilers become an eco-friendly yet powerful replacement for conventional coal-fired systems.
Why Biomass? The Shift Towards Greener Energy
Industries globally are transitioning toward renewable and carbon-neutral energy sources. Biomass offers a unique combination of environmental and economic advantages:
Renewable & Carbon Neutral
Biomass is part of the natural carbon cycle. Unlike fossil fuels, the CO₂ released during combustion is absorbed back by the plants over time.
Cost-Effective Fuel
Biomass fuels are significantly cheaper compared to coal, furnace oil, or natural gas. In agricultural regions, biomass waste is abundant, reducing both disposal and procurement costs.
Localized Fuel Availability
Industries can source biomass locally, minimizing transportation costs and dependency on global fuel markets.
Lower Emissions
Biomass produces lower SOx, NOx, and ash compared to coal, helping industries meet environmental regulations effortlessly.
When combined with travelling grate technology, the benefits multiply—fuel usage becomes more efficient, emissions drop further, and operational costs decrease.
Travelling Grate Boiler Technology Explained
A travelling grate boiler consists of a moving chain-like grate surface where the fuel is fed at one end and slowly carried towards the ash discharge end. Unlike fixed-grate boilers, where fuel burning can be uneven, travelling grate systems automate the entire combustion cycle.
Here’s how a travelling grate stoker boiler typically works:
Step-by-step Combustion Process
- Fuel Feeding
Biomass or coal is fed uniformly onto the moving grate using pneumatic or mechanical feeders. - Drying Zone
Moisture evaporates as the fuel absorbs heat from the furnace. - Ignition
The fuel ignites as it moves into higher-temperature zones. - Combustion Zone
This is where most of the burning takes place. The controlled air supply ensures proper combustion and minimal unburnt carbon. - Burnout Zone
Residual char burns out, maximizing thermal efficiency. - Ash Discharge
In a continuous ash discharge travelling grate, ash automatically falls off the end of the grate into the ash handling system.
This continuous movement ensures consistent steam output, reduced manual labor, and excellent thermal performance.
Benefits of Travelling Grate Biomass Boilers
1. High Fuel Flexibility
One of the major advantages of biomass travelling grate boilers is their ability to handle multiple types of fuels:
Wood chips
Husk
Bagasse
Briquettes
Sawdust
Coal (optional)
This makes them ideal for industries that generate in-house biomass waste.
2. Uniform Combustion
The travelling grate ensures every layer of fuel burns uniformly, improving efficiency and reducing unburnt carbon.
3. Lower Operating Cost
Due to efficient combustion and use of low-cost fuels, operational costs reduce significantly.
4. Automated Ash Handling
With continuous ash discharge travelling grate technology, the system works without manual intervention and avoids clinker formation.
5. High Steam Output
These boilers can handle large loads and ensure steady steam supply for power generation and industrial processes.
Travelling Grate vs Other Combustion Technologies
Travelling Grate Boiler
✔ Fuel flexibility
✔ Handles high moisture fuels
✔ Suitable for medium to large capacities
✔ Low maintenance
Fixed Grate Boiler
✘ Inefficient burning
✘ Frequent clinker formation
✘ Inconsistent steam output
Fluidized Bed Combustion (FBC)
✔ Excellent efficiency
✘ Higher pressure drop
✘ Cannot handle very high fuel moisture
✘ Expensive system
Travelling grate boilers strike the perfect balance between performance, fuel flexibility, and cost-efficiency—especially for biomass fuels.
Biomass Travelling Grate Boilers vs Coal Travelling Grate Boilers
Both biomass and coal can be burned on a travelling grate. However, industries now prefer biomass travelling grate boilers due to environmental and operational advantages.
Biomass Travelling Grate Boiler
Lower emissions
Cheaper fuel
Renewable energy
Less ash
Coal Travelling Grate Boiler
Higher emissions
Potential regulatory challenges
More ash and clinker formation
While coal-based travelling grate systems still exist, biomass-fired variants provide long-term sustainability and compliance advantages.
The Role of Travelling Grate Technology in Efficiency
Travelling grate technology ensures:
Optimized air distribution
Improved furnace temperature profile
Complete combustion
Reduced unburnt fuel
Lower fuel consumption
The addition of secondary and tertiary air systems allows precise control over combustion, resulting in higher boiler efficiency and lower emissions.
Modern travelling grate systems used in traveling grate biomass boilers often integrate:
Automatic fuel feeders
Programmable logic controllers (PLC)
Advanced ash handling systems
Combustion automation
These technological advancements ensure maximum reliability and minimum downtime.
Key Components of a Travelling Grate Boiler System
A robust travelling grate boiler includes:
- Travelling Grate Furnace
- Fuel Feeding Mechanism
- Air Preheaters
- Primary & Secondary Air Systems
- Boiler Drum & Waterwall
- Superheaters & Economizers
- Electrostatic Precipitators / Bag Filters
- Ash Handling Systems
Each component contributes to steam output, fuel efficiency, and longevity of the boiler.
Choosing the Right Travelling Grate Boiler Manufacturer
Choosing the right manufacturer is crucial to get a reliable and long-lasting system. One of the industry leaders is Cheema Boilers Limited, located in Mohali, known for engineering high-quality and robust biomass-fired travelling grate boilers.
Why Cheema Boilers?
Decades of engineering expertise
Custom-designed biomass solutions
High-efficiency travelling grate systems
Strong after-sales support
Advanced manufacturing facilities in Mohali
Trusted by major industries across India and abroad
Their boilers are designed to handle challenging fuels while maintaining high steam output and efficiency.
Factors Affecting the Travelling Grate Boiler Price
When evaluating travelling grate boiler price, key factors include:
Boiler capacity (TPH)
Fuel type (biomass / coal / mixed)
Automation level
Combustion system design
Pollution control equipment
Custom engineering requirements
Although biomass travelling grate boilers may have a higher initial cost compared to simple fixed-grate designs, the savings in fuel, efficiency, and maintenance quickly outweigh the difference.
Spare Parts and Maintenance for Travelling Grate Systems
Reliable travelling grate boiler parts ensure long-term and trouble-free operation. Common parts include:
Grate links
Chain sections
Roller shafts
Air nozzles
Stoker components
Ash extraction equipment
Regular maintenance reduces downtime and maximizes boiler lifespan.
The Future of Travelling Grate Biomass Boilers
As sustainability becomes the core of industrial decision-making, biomass-fired travelling grate boilers will continue to gain traction. Innovations such as improved automation, AI-based combustion tuning, better grate metallurgy, and hybrid biomass-coal systems will further enhance efficiency.
Manufacturers like Cheema Boilers (Mohali) are already integrating next-generation technologies to make biomass energy more reliable, economical, and environmentally friendly.
Conclusion
Biomass Fired Boilers – Travelling Grate technology represents the perfect blend of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and high performance. The ability to burn multiple biomass fuels, lower emissions, continuous ash discharge, and consistent steam output make travelling grate systems a top choice for modern industries.
Whether you’re upgrading an existing boiler or planning a new installation, opting for a biomass travelling grate boiler engineered by a trusted manufacturer like Cheema Boilers, Mohali, ensures long-term savings, reliable performance, and alignment with global environmental standards.