THERMIE BM./00036/97 A power generation plant to produce 5 MWe by utilising fluidised bed combustion technology to burn forestry and municipal residues

Contacts




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Electricity : Forestry : JOULE/THERMIE Programme : Solid Biofuels : Thermochemical Conversion : Wood (Lignocellulose)

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	BM./00036/97
	Total Cost	6,027,500 ECU
	EC Contribution	1,383,863 ECU
	Start Date	01/02/98
	Duration	36 Months

A power generation plant to produce 5 MW_e by utilising fluidised bed combustion technology to burn forestry and municipal residues

Objectives

The project aims to install a power station to produce 5 MW_e of electricity utilising the biomass waste obtained from the annual cleaning of forestry areas. In addition, up to 15% of non-toxic MSW will be added since there are considerable amounts produced in this region, for which there is no immediate solution. It will use a fluidised bed boiler that will be connected to a condensing steam turbine with a bleed to extract at low pressure to utilise for central heating. The project will be located in the zone of Ourém, which is 100 km to the north of Lisbon. The main reason for forestry fires is the accumulation of residues that are left unattended because there are no incentives to clean the forests. In addition, there is no end user for eventual biomass collected from forests because the amounts involved are large and consequently their disposal creates difficulties.

The collection of forestry biomass needs to be organised by local authorities and in that direction there are already important initiatives being taken by municipal authorities. Furthermore, the government intends to subsidise those that are willing to start cleaning of forestry areas.

Technical Approach

The project aims at installing a small-scale power station to produce 5 MW_e of electricity utilising forestry biomass waste. The process involves direct combustion of wastes in a fluidised bed boiler which will be designed to raise steam at 40 bar and 450 ºC. The thermal capacity of the boiler will be 24 MW. The amount of fuel required for this system is 42 000 tonnes of biomass with 15% of humidity or 71 500 tonnes of biomass with 50% humidity. In addition, an amount of 9 000 tonnes of MSW with an humidity level of 50% will be added whenever such waste is delivered to the plant.

The turbine will be of the bleed type and at 2 bar, 50% of the steam will be extracted for use in different locations that belong to the Municipal Authority. The rest of the steam will be condensed and will be recirculated back to the boiler.

The main components of the system are:

• the biomass preparation system
• the daily storage and the feeding system
• the boiler
• gas cleaning involving a cyclone and bag filters
• the water treatment system
• the condensing steam turbine with a bleed
• the connection to the national grid
• the chimney.

Results to Date

The design specifications for the project have been elaborated and possible suppliers of the equipment have been contacted. The site in the Ourém area has been selected for the power station. The coordinator of the project was initially the municipal authority of Ourém. However, the Portuguese partners decided to form a company for the management of the project, with varying levels of participation in its capital. This company will then manage the project.

In due course a project brochure will be prepared. The project could be repeated by other municipal authorities or by private entities willing to invest in renewable energy sources. The expected energy saving or production is 5.7 MW_e.

Contacts

Coordinator

• David CATARINO / Câmara Municipal de Ourém Praça do Municipio / PORTUGAL