Full-scope solution for biomass processing

Biomass power plant in Dalkia, France commissioned and running successfully thanks to Mesto.

SOURCE: Mesto

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One of the biggest biomass power plants in Central Europe, delivered to France by Metso, was commissioned in October 2010 and is running successfully. Ordered in 2008, this new full-scope solution was delivered to the Dalkia biomass power plant in Facture, southwest France. Using mainly bark and forest residues as fuel, the combined heat and power plant produces 50 megawatts of electricity for the national grid and 74 megawatts of process steam for Smurfit Kappa’s paper mill.

Bio-energy is playing a growing role in the creation of sustainable energy systems worldwide. According to Jouni Kinni, Sales Manager, Power business line: “The French delivery included the boiler, flue-gas cleaning and fuel handling systems as well as complete automation of the power plant, which ensures, among other things, that the customer benefits from compatible reporting and communication. For the customer, centralizing the process equipment required for biomass handling with the same supplier reduces the likelihood of delays during construction and ensures that all equipment is seamlessly compatible.”

Metso’s long cooperation with Dalkia received another boost in September, when the company announced the conversion of the pulverized coal boiler of its plant in Łódź in Poland into a biomass-fired boiler. The new biomass boiler is expected to be ready for commercial operation in December 2011.

Environmental business and in particular bio-energy and recycling solutions are important growth areas for Metso, biomass is used in various ways in energy production. In addition to combustion solutions, biomass-handling processes now being developed can help to generate products with greater added value. These products can be used either as fuels in energy production or as raw materials in various chemical processes. The expansion of biomass end-uses creates demand for new technologies.

“In addition to traditional combustion solutions, we must develop products that maximize the energy values of biomass and minimize the environmental impacts of production and logistics,” explains Kai Mäenpää, Vice President, Capital Projects, Power business line. “Some examples are gasification, bio-oil production through pyrolysis, and torrefaction, which results in bio-coal. Metso is involved in the development of new technologies. For example, we are currently building a sorted-waste gasification plant for Lahti Energy. In that project, the replacement of coal with biofuels will reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions corresponding to the carbon footprint of 260,000 cars,” he continued.

“Bio-oil production is underway as part of a cooperation project between Metso, the VTT research centre, the Fortum energy company and the forest industry company UPM. This project involves the production of bio-oil in Metso’s R&D pilot plant and combustion tests at Fortum’s Masala thermal power plant,” concludes Mäenpää.

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- Edited by Gust Gianos, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com