What drives fuel consumption
Fuel use per kg of waste is dominated by three factors: refractory mass and quality, secondary chamber control, and the moisture content of the load. Marketing 'burn rate' figures rarely tell the full story.
- Monolithic concrete refractory holds heat between cycles — fewer cold starts, lower fuel.
- PLC-managed secondary burner only fires when needed to maintain 850 °C, not continuously.
- Fresh poultry runs 60–70% moisture; pre-drained or mixed loads burn dramatically faster.
- Loading the unit while still hot from a prior cycle can save 25–35% on fuel.
Diesel vs LPG vs natural gas
Diesel offers the highest energy density and is the practical choice on most farms. LPG runs cleaner and is often preferred where odour is critical or where farm tanks are already plumbed. Natural gas is an option on industrial sites with mains supply.
What to look at on a spec sheet
Compare litres of fuel per kg of waste at full load, not just burn rate. Ask for figures at typical site moisture content, not best-case dry trials. Insist on the secondary chamber temperature curve — units that can't hold 850 °C will burn fuel forever to compensate.
Frequently asked questions
How much fuel does an AIS Cyclone use per kg?+
Typical figures are 0.10–0.18 litres of diesel per kg of mixed agricultural waste, depending on model, load and moisture.