Ground Biomass Fly Ash
IN BRIEF
Problem: Large brewery wishes to recycle waste grain and malt from the brew process for the production of electric power. Handling the biomass ash cleanly and economically was required.
Solution: Macawber pneumatic conveying systems were used to convey boiler bottom ash and fly ash away to storage. The biomass is dried and transferred to a boiler where it is burned with #6 oil. The biomass fly ash is gathered from four electrostatic precipitator (ESP) hoppers and pneumatically conveyed to an ash silo. The bottom ash is crushed and transferred a short distance via customer’s mechanical conveyor to a pneumatic conveyor where it is transferred to an ash silo for truck loading.
Download Case Study: Ground Biomass Fly Ash (pdf)
MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Material: Brewer Grain Fly Ash, Brewer Grain Bottom Ash, (brewer grain fired with #6 oil)
- Bulk Density: Aerated 570-730 kg/m3 (36-76 lb/ft3)
- Size: Fly Ash: 100%<100mesh, Bottom Ash: 300x150x65mm (max)
- Temperature: 161°C – 300°C
- Moisture Content: ~0%
- Condition: Free flowing when aerated
SYSTEM OBJECTIVES
- Minimize wear and air usage.
- Reliable and consistent conveying.
- Operate with -15.1” wc vacuum in baghouse.
- Operate with elevated bottom ash temperature of 300ºC.
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
- Transfer Capacity BA: 635 kg/hr (1400 lb/hr), FA: 657 kg/hr (1450 lb/hr)
- Conveying Distance BA: 120m (394ft), FA: 56m (184ft)
- Reception Points: One
IMPROVEMENTS ACHIEVED
1. System operation is stable, reliable and efficient
2. System capacity exceeded specified rates
3. Air consumption was below MEI quoted average