Which boiler should an industrial enterprise choose: gas or automatic solid fuel?

Choosing an industrial boiler is a strategic decision for any company. It determines:

• the stability of the production process;
• energy security and independence from external supplies;
• the service life of the engineering infrastructure;
• the cost of production.

The most popular solutions in industry are gas and automatic solid fuel boilers. Both options have their advantages and limitations. Let's look at them in more detail.

FACI gas boilers

Advantages of gas boilers:

1. High efficiency (up to 95%). Modern gas boilers ensure the most efficient fuel combustion, which reduces energy consumption and production costs.
2. Lower operating labour costs. When connected to mains gas, the boiler receives an uninterrupted fuel supply. A gas boiler works almost completely automatically. Parameters are controlled and monitored via electronic systems, eliminating the need for the constant presence of operating staff.

Limitations of gas boilers:

1. Dependence on infrastructure. Not all regions of Russia have access to mains gas - the country's gas supply coverage is about 74%. Even with a gas pipeline connection, gas pressure may be insufficient for stable boiler operation. In that case, using gas equipment becomes impossible or requires additional equipment to stabilise the pressure.
2. Economic feasibility. Laying a gas pipeline and approving design documents require significant investment, which makes a gas boiler uneconomical for some companies.
3. Safety requirements. Gas boiler houses require strict compliance with design and operating standards.

When is a gas boiler the best choice?

• For companies located in regions of Russia with gas supply.

FACI automatic solid fuel boilers

Advantages of automatic solid fuel boilers:

1. Energy independence. The most common industrial solid fuel boilers run on coal, wood, pellets and other fuels. This allows companies to be independent of mains gas and operate even in places far from cities. The ability to use different fuels makes it possible to choose the most affordable option.
2. Reliability and service life. FACI industrial automatic solid fuel boilers have a very robust design. The boilers are designed for long service even under heavy loads.
3. Relevance for remote regions. Where gas supply is impossible or economically unfeasible, an automatic solid fuel boiler is often the only real alternative. Stable boiler operation is achieved through a continuous fuel supply from an enlarged hopper (built-in or outdoor). This eliminates the need for frequent manual loading and ensures a long operating cycle.
4. Remote control. Our app FACI SMART lets you not only monitor automatic solid fuel boilers but fully control them: from anywhere in the world you can adjust the temperature, switch modes, and start automatic cleaning, ash removal or automatic ignition. Even without internet, key commands are available via SMS (GSM)

Limitations of automatic solid fuel boilers:

• A lower level of automation. Compared with gas boilers, more staff involvement is required: loading fuel, cleaning out combustion products and periodic maintenance. However, the level of automation of FACI solid fuel boilers keeps human intervention to a minimum.

When is an automatic solid fuel boiler the best choice?

• For companies located in regions without gas supply;
• For companies seeking energy autonomy.

FACI - boilers for any task

The FACI plant designs and manufactures both gas and automatic solid fuel industrial boilers. We offer:

• individual equipment selection;
• design and installation of boiler systems;
• warranty support and servicing.

Submit a request for advice, and our engineers will help determine which boiler is the best solution for your production.