How to Choose Between Travelling Chain Grate and Reciprocating Grate Based on Fuel Characteristics

Fuels Prioritized for Travelling Chain Grate (Chain Belt Grate)
Applicable Features

Uniform particle size, low moisture content, stable calorific value, low caking tendency
Coal Fuels
Class II high-quality bituminous coal; particle size: 6~50 mm; as-received moisture (Mar) ＜ 20%; ash fusion temperature ＞ 1200℃; weakly caking coal.
Unsuitable fuels: strongly caking coal, high-ash inferior coal, lignite (excessively high moisture), raw coal with excessive pulverized coal.
Biomass Fuels (Molded)
Biomass pellets, briquettes, regularly sized wood chips (uniform particle size, moisture content ≤ 20%).
⚠️ Limitations: Wet wood shavings, crushed crop straw and mixed waste tend to delaminate, compact and are hard to ignite. Direct combustion via chain grate is not recommended.
Suitable Operating Conditions
Stable fuel supply, pre-screening & processing of fuel, 24-hour continuous long-term operation, pursuit of long service life for grate components.
Fuels Prioritized for Reciprocating Grate
Applicable Features
Elevated moisture, irregular particle sizes, low calorific value, loose waste materials, fuels prone to coking
Coal Fuels
Inferior bituminous coal, high-ash coal, lignite, low-calorific-value blended coal with uneven grain sizes; tolerable moisture ≤ 30%; slightly caking coal.
Biomass Waste (Core Application Field)
Wet wood shavings, sawdust, bark, crop straw, rice husk, bagasse, wood scraps & offcuts; loose agricultural and forestry residues with moisture content ranging from 25% to 45%.
Other Fuels
Co-firing with sludge, combustible waste residues from light industries, mixed fuels with frequently varying compositions.
⚠️ Restrictions: Not suitable for long-term exclusive combustion of high-melting-point fuels producing large hard slag blocks; incompatible with ultra-fine powders (severe fly ash heat loss).
Suitable Operating Conditions
On-site self-produced factory waste, drastic fluctuations in fuel quality, intermittent operation, no budget for fuel pre-screening and pretreatment.
Concise Selection Mnemonic
Neat, dry fuel with stable quality → Travelling Chain Grate
High-quality bituminous coal, biomass pellets, clean wood chips are the top choices for long-term continuous operation with chain grate; it delivers stable running performance and durable grate components.
Damp, irregular fuel with abundant waste and volatile calorific value → Reciprocating Grate
Opt for reciprocating grate when burning wet sawdust, straw, inferior raw coal or multi-fuel blends; the reciprocating flipping motion improves ignition and complete combustion.
Common Misunderstandings Reminder
Reciprocating grate does not always boast higher thermal efficiency: When fuel is premium and stable, a well-commissioned travelling chain grate achieves superior thermal efficiency. The advantages of reciprocating grate only emerge under poor fuel conditions.
Reciprocating grate incurs higher maintenance costs: High-temperature movable grate bars are wearing parts requiring regular replacement; travelling chain grate needs far less routine maintenance work.

Chain grate is capable of biomass combustion, yet loose wet biomass shall never be fed directly into it — this will easily lead to difficult ignition, heavy black smoke emission and insufficient boiler output.
If you provide the following parameters: boiler tonnage, planned fuel type (coal/biomass), fuel moisture, particle size, calorific value, and whether 24-hour continuous operation is required, I can give you a definite grate type recommendation, together with supporting design suggestions for furnace chamber layout and air distribution system.