The biomass glycerin combustion installation enabled the implementation of modern technologies, which made us one of the first entities in Poland to implement such solutions. The new method of generating heat energy, then converted into electricity, confirmed the real possibility of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.
The use of an advanced system for burning environmentally friendly fuels contributed to reducing emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere, such as CO₂, SO₂ and NOₓ.
An additional benefit was the management of waste glycerin, which is a by-product of biofuel production – its use as fuel is in line with the idea of a closed-loop economy. This project increased the plant’s energy independence and improved its energy and environmental efficiency, becoming an example of good practices in the field of sustainable development.
Lead time and installation
The installation was carried out in several stages and in cooperation with the company’s companies. The installation using fuel oil for combustion had to be re-engaged with the biomass combustion installation.
It was necessary to design important installation locations that the fuel oil installation did not include, such as: unloading node, installation for removing and supplying technical glycerine, replacing the device feeding fuel oil to the combustion chamber with a nozzle with a swirler.
Customer problem
The previous installation fired with fuel oil generated a number of operational and environmental problems. Fuel oil, as a heavy fuel, required the use of heating systems, which caused additional energy consumption and increased the risk of failure of the transmission and burner installations. Additionally, burning fuel oil resulted in high emissions of pollutants such as SO₂, NOₓ and particulate matter, which made it difficult to meet increasingly stringent environmental standards. Operating the installation required frequent servicing and periodic shutdown of the system, which translated into decreased energy production and higher operating costs.
Challenges
The modernization of the installation was associated with numerous technical and logistical constraints. The existing infrastructure was designed for burning mazut, which required a thorough analysis and redesign of the fuel supply system, dosing systems and safety features. The limited space in the boiler area and the density of existing installations (pipelines, fittings, measuring equipment) significantly hindered the installation of the new system and its integration with the existing system.
Additional challenges included:
- efficient coordination of activities between the executive teams, equipment suppliers and investor supervision,
- maintaining the continuity of the plant’s operation while conducting modernization works,
- ensuring the highest quality of workmanship of the installation elements and their precise assembly,
- carrying out the works in accordance with the schedule and rigorous technical requirements.
Due to the properties of technical glycerine and safety requirements, it was necessary to use dedicated material and technological solutions, which required precise matching and high technical culture of the contractors.
- Replacing the combustion of fuel oil with technical glycerine;
- Changing the fuel supply method by installing a nozzle with a swirler
- Making an unloading point and organizing a pipeline system thanks to which the glycerine safely reaches the tank and then the combustion chamber
- Nozzles with swirler
- NOCXM35 control panel
- The power supply unit is controlled from the operator’s station in the control room of blocks
What did we do in the project?
We designed an installation for unloading, storing and feeding glycerine to boilers in units at the power plant. The designed installation elements include:
- pipelines for glycerine collection and return from the ZOM1 tank,
- container with a feed pump,
- pipeline leading glycerine to the boiler room,
- sample collection node,
- glycerine measurement and distribution node for boilers
- burner nodes and burners.
The next part was to organize the schedule of works at the power plant together with the simultaneous replacement of the fuel oil combustion installation with a glycerine combustion installation. After assembly, our specialists monitored the operation of units to obtain the best possible fuel combustion conditions.