Biomass Power GenerationUsing UTC PureCycle Technology
Presented by: Gwen Holdmann 2007 Alaska Rural Energy Conference, April 24-26th
UTC
United Technologies
� Fortune 500 Company
� Divisions include: Hamilton Sunstrand, Otis, Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, UTC Power, and Carrier
� 20th largest US Manufacturer
� 39th largest US Corporation
� 220,000 employees
� 42.7 billion in sales in 2005
Carrier Chiller
Compressor
Evaporator/Cooler
Condenser
Heat Out
Heat In
Throttle Valve Motor
Power In
Refrigeration Cycle
19XR/XRT19XR/XRT
Evaporator/Cooler
CompressorMotor
Condenser
First working 200kW ORC Unit
The PureCycle© 200
ORC in Austin, Texas operating off
landfill flare heat
ORC in Danville, IL using exhaust heat
from 3 Jenbacher engines
Chena Geothermal Power Plant
� 400kW net; installed in 2006
� Uses 500 gpm of 165ºF water
� Air and water cooled
� Reduced local cost of power from 30¢ to 5¢
� Total project cost $2.2 million
� Thanks to AEA and Denali Commission
� Efficiency <10%
Chena Geothermal Power Plant
Chena Power Plant
Chena Power Plant
PureCycle w/ Water-Cooled System
Configuration for Chena
Monument Creek Provides Cooling Water (~40F)
Geothermal Wells Provide Hot Water (~165F)
PureCycle using Biomass Heat Source
Air cooled condenser
Biomass (8000btu/lb)
Biomass Power Plant
Biomass Power Plant
� Proposed for Fairbanks North Star Borough Landfill
� 400kW gross, 300kW net output
� Fuel is 5000 tons of paper, cardboard and brush
� Designed for rural village application – thermal oil boiler, load following
� Increased efficiency over geothermal installation through addition of a topping cycle
R245fa & FC-84 TS Cycle Diagram
0.0
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
250.0
300.0
350.0
400.0
0.0000 0.1000 0.2000 0.3000 0.4000 0.5000
Entropy (Btu/(lbm-R))
Tem
pera
ture
(F
)
Temperature – Entropy Cycle Diagram
Topping Cycle
Bottoming Cycle
Reject Heat to District Heating Loop
orProduce Additional
Power
Proposed Biomass Power CyclesKetone topping cycle doubles efficiency to 20% and increases energy utilization to 80%
Similar to Chena Chiller
System
Paper makes up ~ 50% of the waste stream in U.S.
Municipal Waste: Fairbanks• Eielson Recycling Program to
densify 1500 tons per year of waste paper and cardboard discontinued in 2006
• Fuel pellets co-fired with coal at Eielson
• Potentially 14,000+ tons available based on national averages –current no recycling of paper
• The FNSB is committed to implementing a more comprehensive recycling plan
Photo of Shred-Tech STQ100 (photo of model at a dif ferent project location)
Shred-Tech System
Right: Auger system automatically feeds boiler as
heat is needed.
Live Floor to Feed Thermal Oil Heater
Boiler or Thermal Oil Heater
Med temp ORC
200kW Power output
200kW Power output
Air or water condenser
Heating Loop
High temp ORC
The Goal: Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Dot Lake System OperationWood for Space
Heating (Dot Lake)
� Successful biomass crop in Europe and in test plot at New York University
� Could be used in rural Alaska for heating and power generation
� Provides excellent moose and caribou habitat
� Already grows successfully in Alaska!!
Short Rotation Woody Biomass Crops
New York University 500 acre willow biomass test plot
Short Rotation Woody Biomass Crops
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0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.0 0.1 1.0 10.0 100.0 1000.0
Average Generation (MW)
Pric
e ($
/kW
h)
ForestedNon-Forested
Source: Alaska Energy Authority
Average Power Generation vs. Non-Firm Price
Design stand-alone biomass fueled power plant for Alaskan village applications
200kW Modular size
Thermal oil substitutes for water (steam) to eliminate freezing problems with unplanned shutdown, eliminate need for makeup water and water treatment
Couple with short-rotation woody biomass crop (willow)
Unmanned grid independent operation with safe shutdown and remote monitoring
Increase cycle efficiency to 20%
Project Objectives