BIOMASS BOILER
INDUSTRY NEWS
Fast-track project for American paper mill
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t was a fast-track project to deliver a new biomass power boiler for Graphic Packaging International’s paper mill at Macon in the American state of Georgia. It was also a challenge to design and erect the boiler amidst an existing structure in a working mill. Yet, the result is a boiler perfectly attuned to mill needs – and an excellent reference for Andritz’s new power boiler design in North America. “The main driver for us was the economics of self-generating power from renewable biomass,” emphasised Jim McGahee, Director of Engineering for Graphic Packaging’s Paperboard Division and the Project Manager for the biomass boiler. “We are a forest-based company that
10 Spring 2015
fully utilises and protects this sustainable resource. This boiler is also a hedge against rising energy costs.”
The Macon mill used to generate a little over 50% of its power, purchasing the rest from the local electricity supplier. Now, the mill is 100% self-sufficient electrically with the added ability to sell excess power. The new boiler also allowed Graphic Packaging to retire an old coal boiler and remove about 40 MW of coal-fired emissions from the atmosphere.
The town of Macon has a rich musical heritage. Little Richard, Otis Redding and The Allman Brothers were hometown musicians. McGahee and his project team leaders Phil Hardin
and Dan Ash do not claim to have musical skills, but they were able to orchestrate and self-manage a large and complex project, which included a new 40 MW turbine-generator and air pollution control equipment, and keep everyone in harmony. “Planning and co-ordination were critical,” said Hardin, who was Construction Manager. “It required full co-operation from the many contractors working in a limited space. Working together, we were able to manage it quite well and meet the project schedule.”
Need for speed The timeline for the Macon project was aggressive. “We had to put the project on a fast- track to meet the milestones,”
The output of the Andritz BFB boiler is 350,000 lb/hr (159 t/h) at 1275 psig (89 bar) and 900 deg F (482 deg C).
McGahee explained. According to Aku Rainio, Andritz Product Manager, the selection of Andritz was somewhat a ‘leap of faith’ for Graphic Packaging since this was the first power boiler for Andritz’s North American office. However, the company completed a very successful EPC recovery boiler delivery at the Macon mill in 1993-94, as well as several other projects at the mill over the years.
Jarmo Orantie, the Project Director for the recovery boiler, was also Project Director for the power boiler. “Working with Jarmo and his team, people who
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