BIOMASS

Biomass is different types of organic material produced by living plants through the process of photosynthesis, as well as the material produced as a result of the processing of this organic material. It therefore includes forest resources, and waste and by-products from industries and agricultural processes.

Biomass is a renewable energy source because if it is managed properly is an inexhaustible resource.

Biomass-MSW Power Plants

Plants processing biomass or municipal solid waste generate electricity by combustion of raw material in a boiler and subsequent transformation of the thermal energy of the steam generated into electricity through a Rankine steam cycle with a turbine and electricity generator.

The most important parts to highlight in this type of plants are:

• Biomass-MSW Handling and Treatment System: The power plant has a biomass or a municipal solid waste handling and treatment system, to comply with the requirements of the combustion unit.
• Biomass-MSW Storage System: It allows to storage the biomass or the municipal solid waste before the boiler feeding system, acting as a lung of the installation.
• Combustion Unit: Biomass-MSW combustion in the boiler produces superheater steam.
• Steam Turbine: The superheated steam is expanded in the turbine to generate electrical energy.
• Flue-gas Cleaning System: The flue-gas flow from the combustion is cleaned in order to guarantee the required emission limits.
• Cooling System: The power plant has one cooling system, dry or wet, depending on water availability and environmental conditions.
• Electrical Substation: It allows the electrical connection to the grid.

The benefits derived from these plants are:

Pellet plants produce a renewable fuel with high energy density consisting of small pellets of compressed wood obtained by extrusion, for use in any subsequent combustion process.

The most important parts to highlight in this type of plants are:

• Storage: Biomass reception area in different formats (chips, bark, logs, etc.).
• Debarking and Chipping: Prior to grinding, raw biomass will pass through conditioning stages.
• Wet Grinding: This stage ensures a greater efficiency in the drying of biomass.
• Drying: Whether in trommel or in band system drier, this stage is critical to achieve a high quality pellet.
• Dry Grinding: After drying, the biomass is ground again to obtain the optimal size for the pelletized final stage.
• Pelletized: Consist on a process of extrusion of biomass in which a high energy density and standard format product is obtained.
• Expedition: According to the needs of the target market, the pellets could be issued into bulk, bags or big-bags format.

The benefits derived from these plants are:

• Local Content: A pellets plant provides a boost for local employment, in the operation and maintenance tasks of the plant and also in the forestry activities associated with the management of the biomass.
• Sustainable Management of Forest Plantations: The use of biomass for energy purposes allows the development and sustainable management of forest resources.
• Environmental Benefit: The use of the biomass produces important environmental benefits. It promotes the cleaning and conservation of forest plantations, thereby reducing the risk of fire. It also allows the valorisation of wood industry residues. In addition, its use replaces polluting energy sources for the environment, helping to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.