Power plants

From biomass power plants to hydroelectric plants, district heating to cogeneration power plants

In 1975 the first cogeneration thermoelectric power plant fuelled by biomass was created, with a production capacity of around 60t/hour of steam and 6MW of electricity. This plant is part of a Silvateam’s manufacturing plant located in Bagni di Lucca, Italy. In the early nineties, due to the shutdown of the furfural production, which provided the biomass to the power plant, the boiler has been replaced with a hybrid system operating with aluminum lignin sulfonate, gas, and fuel oil.

The knowledge acquired from the operation of this power plant and the optimization of its processes and equipment have made it possible for Silvateam to set up the biomass thermoelectric power plant located in Rende, Italy in the late 1990’s.

At the same time, a steam generation plant was built in La Escondida, in the Chaco region of Argentina with a steam production of 60t/hour which permits Indunor, which is a company of Silvateam, to be self-sufficient in thermal and electrical energy.

In 2007, the Group obtained the authorization for the construction of the cogeneration thermoelectric power plant of 100MW (combined cycle) in San Michele Mondovì, Italy. Today it is at the initial set up stage.

In 2007, Silvateam received approval for the creation of two cogeneration plants and their district heating network in Prato Nevoso, which is a well-known area of the Maritime Alps and Mondovì, both located in the province of Cuneo (Italy). Regarding the cogeneration plant of Prato Nevoso, Silvateam has performed the design and has followed the first stage of construction. It is presently in the final stages of completion.

The great Italian biomass plant recognized for its performance and reliability

A thermoelectric power plant has been built by Silvateam in Rende (Calabria), Italy with a biomass powered boiler, consisting of 60% wood and 40% exhausted olive residues. The steam reaches a maximum pressure of 60bar at 480°C. The combustion chamber which is equipped with a water cooled vibrating grates, receives 20t/hour of biomass. The turbine powers a 15MW generator.

The power plant started to operate in January 2001, after a three-year investment program. The design, construction, and maintenance of the plant have been managed by the personnel of Silvateam.

The power plant has taken advantage of incentives resulting from the production of electricity using renewable sources. The incentive program CIP6 ended in 2008. At the present time, the plant belongs to the Falck Group.

Patented technology for the combustion of black liquor

Alce is a wood processing manufacturer of the Silvateam group, located in Bagni di Lucca (Tuscany), Italy which has been producing semi-chemical paper for corrugated cardboard since 2009. The raw materials used are mainly exhausted chestnut wood derived from the tannin extraction of 80,000t/year.

During the production process, black liquor is obtained. The capacity is around 22,000t/year. The liquor is composed of aluminum lignin sulfonate (BL). This by-product has been recognized as biomass and has a water content of 50%.

Silvateam has created a multi-fuel steam generator using this biomass. The plant is composed of an oven that operates using BL as fuel, with the help of a patented system of methane burners. The oven has a large combustion chamber where methane or low sulfur heating oil is burned to meet the facilities requirements.

The steam generator has a capacity of 60t/hour of steam at a pressure of 60 bar and a temperature of 450°C. The steam, before being sent to the different parts of the plant, passes into an existing turbine of 6 MW. The exhausted gases are treated in a system specially designed for the removal and the recovery of sulfur dioxide.

The plant has been considered innovative in the renewable energy sector and has received recognition by the authorities in the industry.

In 2010 Silvateam obtained the authorization for the construction of a new biomass cogeneration thermoelectric plant of 14.5MW that will replace the existing plant. The chestnut wood residues in combination with new wood chips will be used as fuel in the new steam generator. This steam generator has a capacity of 62 ~ 63t/hour of steam at a pressure of 62 bar and a temperature of 500°C. Construction site has been started in May 2011.

Technologically advanced plant of 6MW

Indunor, a company of the Silvateam group, is a leading producer of quebracho extracts which are mainly used for vegetable tanned leathers.

The main manufacturing plant is located at La Escondida in the Chaco region of Argentina which is an area rich in quebracho forests. In 2000, the plant needed large amounts of steam for the extraction process and electricity for the plant’s operation. A design was requested for the construction of a new biomass steam generator with a steam production of 60t/hour at a pressure of 55 Bar and a temperature of 450°C. The turbine powers a 6MW generator.

The design and installation have been entirely handled by Silvateam staff.

Preservation of the environment at high altitudes

Silvateam has recently constructed two district heating plants in the province of Cuneo (Italy).

The first district heating plant, located in Prato Nevoso, has an electrical power of 6 MW and a 10km long district heating network. This plant is able to generate a maximum thermal power output of 31 MW. Silvateam has contributed to the acquisition of the requested authorizations and it has provided turnkey basis and construction engineering, which are necessary for the construction of the cogeneration plant.

The district heating plant consists of an alternative engine fuelled by natural gas, connected to one heat accumulator of approximately 1,000m3 and two boilers fuelled by natural gas and fuel oil of 15 MW each. The plant will supply heating to more than 140 users. The district heating plant has been operating since 2009 and the company is finalizing the last connections to the users.

The second district heating plant, located in Mondovì, has an electrical power of 12 MW and a 15km long district heating network. This plant is able to generate a maximum thermal power output of 44 MW. Silvateam has contributed to the acquisition of the requested authorizations and it has provided basic engineering.

The district heating plant consists of two alternative engines, fuelled by natural gas, connected to heat accumulators of approximately 1,000 m3 each and two boilers, fuelled by natural gas, of 12 MW each. The plant will supply heating to more than 170 users. The district heating plant has been operating since 2010 and it is presently in the final stages of completion.