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Vecoplan Promotes Conveying System
Vecoplan’s Vecobelt conveys and loads bulk materials into rail cars, trucks, silos, bunkers and process equipment or simply transfers large volumes of material over long distances. Vecobelt is said to move more material, over longer distances, with fewer structural supports than traditional conveyors, while consuming less power and virtually eliminating dust or noise.
Vecobelt is capable of conveying up to 500 m3 (17,657 cu. ft.) of bulk material per hour. At a specific density of 0.3, or a bulk density of 300 kilograms per cubic meter (18.7 pounds per cu. ft.), this represents 150 metric tons per hour. Distances of up to 200 m (656 ft.) can be achieved employing only one loading and unloading point and only requiring structural supports at intervals of 75 m (246 ft.).
The distance between structural supports is achieved by the open mesh architecture of Vecoplan’s support towers combined with cable suspension. This delivers strength in much the same way as suspension bridges do. These cable towers also allow the Vecobelt to be placed up to 30 m (98 ft.) above ground in order to avoid obstacles.
Vecobelt consists of a conveyor belt running on air cushions in a closed tube system. The air cushions minimize friction, which in turn reduces power consumption by up to 50%. Less friction also results in less wear, longer life and less maintenance. The decreased friction combined with the tube enclosure delivers virtually silent operation. Dust and spill problems are also eliminated by the almost totally enclosed system.
Vecobelt systems have been installed and successfully operating in a variety of industrial applications including biomass and cement plants throughout Europe over the last five years. Call 336-861-6070. Visit vecoplanllc.com
Thermya Releases Torrefaction Process
Thermya, a French engineering company involved in biomass energy recovery, released its TORSPYD process for the torrefaction of non-food biomass.
TORSPYD is based on the “solid organics distillation principle,” which fully dehydrates and then depolymerizes the biomass in order to produce an hydrophobic and homogeneous solid fuel; it is characterized by extremely high energy yields, according to the company.
Torrefaction by TORSPYD converts all kinds of biomass into BioCoal, which contains less than 1% moisture, retains 95% of the initial biomass energy and more than 90% of its initial dry mass. The BioCoal’s net calorific value is around 20500 kJ/kg. BioCoal can be mixed with fossil coal and co-fired in thermal power stations without any modification of the facilities. Visit thermya.com.
AdvanceBio Adds Bench Scale System
AdvanceBio LLC is increasing its product line to include a bench scale system for pre-treatment of biomass for next-generation cellulosic ethanol and renewable chemicals industries. AdvanceBio offers commercial scale systems to 600 tons/day for companies planning industrial-scale facilities.
AdvanceBio provides consulting services and technology to companies that are developing new projects in the biofuels industry and biochemical sector. The firm consults with clients regarding plant operations, technology development, and process design and project management. Visit advancebiollc.com.
Georgia Biomass Picks TSI For Dryer Island
TSI was awarded the contract to supply the “Dryer Island” to a new pellet plant operation, known as Georgia Biomass, to be built in Waycross, Ga.
Equipment to be supplied includes two reciprocating grate furnaces, two single pass, recycle dryer systems and two sets of pollution control equipment. The systems will be used to dry incoming wood chips.
The plant will reportedly be the largest in North America with an annual capacity of 750,000 tons per year. Production will be shipped to Europe for co-firing in coal-fired power plants owned by the German power utility RWE.
TSI says the technology is well proven in the North American market and is particularly suited to meet the technical challenges of processing southern yellow pine while meeting the requirements of U.S. emission regulations.
In winning the contract TSI successfully demonstrated the cost efficiency of the core technology (Single Pass Recycle Drying) and was able to show a track record of similar large scale installations. Visit tsi-inc.net.
BRUKS Expands Into North America
BRUKS has announced the successful introduction of a market development program for its mobile chippers in North America. At the Oregon Logging Conference in February, BRUKS kicked off its effort with live demonstrations at the show and received positive response toward the BRUKS 805 mobile chipper.
The 450 HP drum chipper was mounted on a Valmet 890.3 forwarder provided by Modern Machinery. Modern Machinery is the BRUKS dealer for the Pacific Northwest. Power Motive is the dealer for Colorado, and BRUKS is working on setting up other dealers across the U.S. and Canada.
The chipper with its own bin mounted on a forwarder can travel off road to many spots that traditional equipment can’t go. After chipping slash or logs up to 20 in. diameter, the unit can bring the chips back to roadside and dump into a chip trailer or container. Visit mobilechipper.com.
Fecon Provides Mulching Attachment
Fecon introduces the BH200 Bull Hog mulching attachment for 180-600 HP tractors. The BH200 fits in between Fecon’s BH120 and BH250 models and is the first Bull Hog to incorporate the patented HDT Step Rotor system. The HDT Step Rotor system has two cutting diameters and a staggered tool pattern for extreme cutting efficiency. The BH200 also incorporates a larger rotor diameter and larger bearings than the BH120, while operating in the power range of the BH250. Additionally, it has a newly designed body that is lighter yet even more severe-duty.
Fecon’s BH200 with HDT Step Rotor can be equipped with four tool options including three carbide options, a knife tool, or a combination of tools. This enables contractors to quickly configure their mulcher to the job at hand. Visit fecon.com
Buhler Teams With Ronning
Buhler Aeroglide has announced a license agreement with Ronning Engineering Co., Overland Park, Kan., including the use of Ronning’s drying technology for specific market segments such as biomass. With the addition of Ronning’s specialized rotary drying technology, Buhler Aeroglide is able to provide fully-integrated biomass processing solutions from drying of raw material to grinding, pelleting and final bulk load-out of finished biomass fuel pellets.
The acquisition of Ronning’s “Drum Drier Centerfill” (which reportedly can dramatically increase capacity in rotary dryers) will allow Buhler Aeroglide to provide drying solutions for the largest production rate challenges. This is of particular interest to the expanding biomass markets.
“This merger represents not only an excellent marriage of two technologies but also of corporate cultures and industry talents that will continue to build on our leadership in the industry,” says Tom Mix, senior vice president of sales for Buhler Aeroglide. Visit aeroglide.com.
Conehead Chipper Has New Features
Dynamic “Conehead” chippers 2010 models feature new wear surface design for fast and easy replacement. Dynamic Cone drums cut whole tree, limbs and tops with a slicing action rather than slamming material as conventional flat-faced drums. Because slicing requires less energy than slamming across-the-grain, the cone-drum chipping innovation produces 30%-40% more chips per fuel gallon. Phone 989-644-8109. Visit DynamicMfgCorp.com.
Small Wood Chipper Has Maneuverability
JP Carlton introduced the 1712 12 in. disc style wood chipper. At 5400 lbs., the 1712 is towable by smaller chip trucks.
The Carlton Model 1712 incorporates a 48x28 in. infeed opening allowing it to swallow tops with little or no trimming. The 10 ½ in. diameter feed rollers accept the wood with minimal wrapping. 32 cu. in. displacement hydraulic feed motors provide the power to pull and collapse limbs and tops. Visit stumpcutters.com.
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