The Origin and Development of Bioethanol Fireplaces

Around the year 2000, a movement to use less resources and protect the earth became popular all over the world. Since then, Western countries have promoted energy-saving, environmental protection and resisted high-energy-consuming products. Traditional fireplaces that burn firewood are the first to be affected. Por lo tanto, heating products, such as energy-saving fireplaces based on gas and supplemented by bioethanol, have emerged. They have gradually replaced wood-burning fireplaces. In terms of use and shape, gas fireplacesare easier to install than traditional fireplaces. There is no need to install a special fume extraction system for the gas fireplaces, especially those that do not require smoke extraction. They have been widely accepted by consumers since entering the market, as they are safe and convenient to use. Likewise, smokeless bioethanol fireplaces have wider applications. They come in flexible and diverse sizes, and fashionable styles. Thus, they are favored by young and fashionable people, occupying a significant share of the market. Over the past 20 años, chimeneas de etanol have developed rapidly and become highly diversified. From traditional fireplaces (with mantelpieces), various ethanol fireplaces with fashionable designs have been derived. Examples include: floor-standing fireplaces, wall-mounted fireplaces, countertop fireplaces, embedded styles fireplaces, entre otros. As time goes by, they have accepted and loved by more and more people.

Compared with traditional and other energy-saving fireplaces, ethanol fireplaces share the following characteristics:

1. Energy saving and environmentally friendly

The fuel for ethanol fireplaces is bioethanol. It is mainly fermented from corn, sugar cane, straw and other crops. It comes in a liquid or solid form. With a high purity, its concentration is usually between 95-98%. It is non-toxic and odorless. It can also be burned cleanly, producing only a small amount of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide (within the safety standards). It is an ideal alternative fuel for heating furnaces. By using crop wastes as a raw material, it effectively replaces some traditional firewood and thus reducing tree felling. The fuel therefore meets the needs of modern people who are concerned about ecological protection.

2. Wide applicability

The ethanol fuel presents to be liquid or solid (colloidal). There are less requirements for the volume size of its container. Thus the ethanol containers do not require a large volume. This gives modeling designs a lot of flexibility. It is easier to design ethanol fireplaces in various styles. Large or small, square or round, traditional or modern, fashionable or classic, designs are gradually becoming more and more diversified.

3. Safety

DIN16447 clarifies the safety standards for liquid fuel heating furnaces. IMF ethanol fireplaces are designed and manufactured strictly per the DIN16447 safety standards.

① The liquid ethanol container must not leak. The IMF fuel holder consists of an inner box and a leak-proof outer protective box. The double-layer structure ensures the fireplace works safely;

② The holder is either welded or stretched. Each product is strictly checked by quality engineers for any missing or insufficient welding joints during production. It is ensured that each container is made to a high quality.

Engineers design the components as per DIN16447 standards during new product development:

① Add ceramic wool layer for thermal insulation, ensuring the temperature of any parts that people may touch is within the specified range;

② Ensure a safe distance between the product and fire source, so that the product’s temperature is within the safety standard range;

③ Conduct various tests check for fuel spills and leaks during unconventional use. Qualified products must go through several design – test – modification – retest cycles;

④ Conduct impact tests as per safety standards, to confirm the fireplace’s structural stability, and to ensure the product can be used safely.

Ethanol fireplaces have high fuel requirements. The purity of bioethanol selected is as high as 95-98%. The combustion is thorough and clean, only producing a small amount of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide (lower than the DIN16447 standards). It is therefore environmentally friendly and safe. After strictly testing as per the DIN16447 standards, the products are sent to internationally recognized testing centres, e.g. TUV, SGS, INTAKE, etc., for testing and certification. They are then released on world markets after being tested and certified.

4. No flue installation, easy to use and economical

Compared with traditional wood-burning fireplaces, ethanol fireplaces are smoke-free. There is therefore no need to ask professional companies to install a complex flue. Users only need to assemble the product according to the instructions, and place it at a safe distance from flammable substances. Complicated installation, wall damage, and large expenses are a thing of the past. With a lot of expenses saved, the product is convenient and economical.

5. Multiple categories and good decorations

Ethanol fireplaces have inherent heating function and unique shape design.,They not only satisfy people’s love of fire, but also play a decorative role in people’s homes, adding an appealing visual aesthetic. Ethanol fireplaces are widely applicable. In addition to the classic style with wooden frames, there are also other styles. The fashionable and distinctive floor-to-ceiling type, wall-mounted and wall-embedded types that can be installed on the wall, and countertop type mainly for decoration, are good examples.

1. Classic ethanol fireplaces with wooden frames. Wooden mantelpieces with an ethanol box offer a classic style. Mantelpieces have various styles, eitherretro or simple. The classic ethanol fireplaces are found to be suitable for any home decoration styles. Ethanol fireplaces with masterly craftwork, intricate carvings and rich colors fits the traditional retro decorations; Ethanol fireplaces with simple and smooth edges applies to the modern family decorations; Small exquisite ethanol fireplaces with warm lights suits families living in small apartments; Uniquely designed ethanol fireplaces can be combined with modern furniture and functional cabinets, etc.. With hundreds of wooden frame designs, IMF is available to meet the needs of various families.
2. Traditional and fashionable floor-standingethanol Inspired by traditional fireplaces, the combination of traditional stoves and ethanol fuel is a combination of traditional and modern practicality. They are convenient and safety. After being launched, the products have been welcomed by the majority of users. Modern floor-to-ceiling fireplaces have broken through traditional designs. Designers tend to innovation and changes. The floor-standing fireplaces become one of the most vivid and important parts of modern home decorations.
3. Wall-mounted ethanol fireplacesderived from traditional fireplaces.
   Compared with other fireplaces, wall-mounted ethanol fireplaces are more flexible. They are also convenient, taking up less space and are highly decorative. Por lo tanto, they have become widely sought after by the public. Wall-mounted ethanol fireplaces are generally decorated with stainless steel. The stainless steel is either flat or curved, or combined with iron plates. With the gorgeous texture of stainless steel, the simplicity and nobility of fireplaces Decorative frames made from decorative stone slabs or special flame-retardant materials may be used. This makes stainless steel fireplaces both simple and elegant. The wall-mounted fireplaces are less restricted on the installation location. They can be installed in living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms on some unobstructed walls away from flammable objects. The wall-mounted ethanol fireplaces have become a beautiful landscape for interior decorations.
4. Desktop ethanol burnersderived from traditional candle holders. Ethanol burners make exquisite and compact decorations. They create a strong sense of ambiance. With changeable shapes, they are made of glass, stainless steel, iron plates and other decorative stone-like materials. Their fashionable and unique shapes contribute to a warm atmosphere for modern families. They are deeply loved by young fashionable people. Acting as high-end decorations for commercial establishments, the desktop ethanol burners are often placed in places such as restaurants, spas, clubs, etc..

The above characteristics of ethanol fireplaces have attracted many loyal fans who love real-fire decorative fireplaces. The market demand has rebounded significantly in recent years. As the product line gets wider, the consumer market is getting hotter.

In response to market demand, IMF clients had sent designers to China. They designed a series of modern-style ethanol fireplaces with us. Combining glass, stainless steel, high-quality iron plates and wood, shapes of the fireplaces are simple and beautiful. The styles of them are diverse, conforming to market trends.

Alcohol fireplaces are designed with the safest structures. The quality is strictly controlled during production to ensure the safety of products. Consumers must also pay attention to the safety of alcohol fireplaces in order to truly enjoy the happiness brought by real-fire fireplaces. Precautions for choosing and using an ethanol fireplace:

1. Comply with DIN16447 safety standards and have authoritative certifications. IMF commercial alcohol fireplaces are all certified by international authorizations such as TUV and SGS. The products are absolutely safe and reliable;
2. Ensure the fuel supplied by the fuel suppliers meets the purity requirements. The fuel data is consistent with the determination of the testing agency. The fuel must be thoroughly burned. The amount of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emitted must be lower than the safety standards;
3. Read the product manual carefully before using the ethanol fireplaces. Install, use and maintain the ethanol fireplaces as per the precautions listed in the user manual.

The emerging and development of ethanol fireplaces, conform to the advocacy of environmental protection, energy saving and emission reduction, and low-carbon lifestyles. IMF bioethanol fireplaces retain the heating and decorative properties of traditional fireplaces. Further more, they provide heat energy and a real-fire effect at the same time. They also create a warm and comfortable flame atmosphere for the family. IMF bioethanol fireplaces are the best choice for people who like real-fire decoration fireplaces. As a popular, fashionable and environmentally friendly form of household heating, bioethanol fireplaces have a broad market prospect.