Power Plant

The above graphic shows a conceptual layout for the pyrolysis area of a MSW/Wood-to-Syncoal plant. Chipped wood or MSW is fed to each of three pyrolysis reactors, each driven by an electric motor. The biomass is processed and conveyed through the pyrolysis reaction chamber, and is discharged through a chute to an inclined, water-cooled conveyor below the reactor. This closed conveyor reduces the Syncoal temperature for safe handling.

By-product gases and oil vapors are directed to a boiler system that generates superheated steam. The steam in turn drives a turbine generator capable of providing essentially all the power needs of the reactor drives.

An optional dry scrubber can be incorporated into the boiler exhaust system for removal of acid gases, as necessary. The accompanying baghouse collects spent sorbent and ash from the by-product oils.

The pyrolysis plant is itself a small power producer, with the majority of its fuel supply coming from the by product gases and oils of pyrolysis. Roughly 6 MW of power are produced by the on-site steam turbine generator, and this is used to power the pyrolysis reactor drives.

Putting this in perspective, the power generated is roughly equivalent to the electric load of the Las Vegas Rio Casino/Hotel’s casino and one of its high rise towers combined, while the cooling tower load is equivalent to that of the air conditioning load for that high rise tower.