Wood pellet feasibility study

Technical Report · Wed Oct 31 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5536314

Dohrer, C H

This study effort was undertaken to determine the feasibility of using pelletized wood as an alternative fuel supply while retaining the capabilities of returning to the use of coal without interrupting steam production. Pelletized wood fuel was fired in two of four boilers rated at 80,000 pounds of steam per hour each. No modifications to the existing systems were required in order to conduct the study. Wood pellets can be fired efficiently at up to 85 percent of boiler capacity without exceeding particulate emission or opacity standards which eliminates the need for gas control exhaust measures. The lower ash volume of wood pellets can produce a 75 percent savings in ash handling and disposal costs. The need for additional receiving, storage and conveyance facilities for dust control and reduction of the fire and explosion hazards presented by wood pellets cannot be justified by savings in fuel or operating costs. The estimated yearly delivered cost of wood pellets to Hanford exceeds the known yearly delivered cost of the equivalent Btu value of coal. The increased operating costs incurred by firing wood pellets are not offset by savings in ash handling and baghouse operating costs. Based on the capital cost of additional facilities for wood pellets and increased operating cost while using this fuel in lieu of coal, the use of wood pellets as an alternative to coal in the 200 West Area powerhouse is not economically feasible at this time. Wood pellet and coal prices should, however, remain under observation and the option of firing wood pellets be reviewed if a change in cost dictates an economic advantage. It is recommended that steam plants faced with expensive emission improvements or high fuel costs seriously consider the use of wood pellets as a substitute fuel.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations
• DOE Contract Number: EY-77-C-06-1030
• OSTI ID: 5536314
• Report Number(s): RHO-CD-829
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090400* -- Solid Waste & Wood Fuels-- (-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200103 -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Waste-Fueled Systems
AIR QUALITY
BOILER FUEL
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FABRICATION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FIRE HAZARDS
FUEL PELLETS
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUELS
HAZARDS
MATERIALS HANDLING
MOLDING
PELLETIZING
PELLETS
SOLID WASTES
STANDARDS
STEAM
WASTES
WOOD WASTES