Case Study of Solid Biofuels Online Quality Measurement Using Novel X-Ray Technology
(Room G105, Auditorium Centre, First Floor)
10 Jun 15
9:00 AM
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10:30 AM
Tracks:
Theme: Grid Support with Data & Generators, Theme: Renewable Energy Strategy, Business & Integration
In bioenergy production, the solid fuel quality and especially moisture content and share of foreign matter are the key parameters. The water content of the fuel is a parameter used in controlling combustion process. It is also essential for verifying energy content of the fuel delivered to the power plant, which is base for fuel pricing. Moisture content of biofuels varies a lot and they often contains foreign matter such as stones, sand, soil and metals which lowers energy content and increases O&M costs. Current fuel quality control practice bases on manual sampling method where typically, one sample of each truckload is taken and bulk samples are analysed in laboratory. This method is unreliable in and requires a lot of manual work.
New online biofuel quality measurement system has been recently developed, which has several benefits compared the current system. System was installed to UPM-Kymmene Oyj’s Kaipola biopower plant (117 MWth) in Finland. The target was to demonstrate online moisture and foreign matter measurement in relevant environment with challenging solid biofuels. Tested fuels were forest residues, stem wood chips, whole tree chips and crushed stumps. Measurement location was at the fuel receiving in a belt conveyor. UPM-Kymmene Oyj organised an intensive test period 10th to 13th of March 2014 where online x-ray measurement was compared to current practise. Totally 45 truckload’s fuel quality was determined.
Results shows that current practise is inaccurate because of high moisture content variations within a truckload. X-ray system was found to be more accurate than current methods because of online measurement, which eliminates moisture variations, and foreign matter analysis that enables more accurate energy content analysis. Determination of moisture content of fuel mixes containing a lot of foreign matter and determination of low-density foreign matter content needs further development.