more than 110,000 m 3 of biomass. BIOMASS SUSTAINABILITY The U.K. Government has decided to bring in strict biomass sustainability con-trols that go beyond what is recommend-ed or required in the European Union or internationally. Drax supports the govern-ment’s decision. Mrs. Thompson said, “We firmly believe that robust, mandatory sustainability crite-ria are vital to maintain and enhance pub-lic acceptance and ensure that sustainable practices are implemented.” FINAL WORDS Currently, pellets are being received at the Port of Tyne, which can handle two million tonnes of wood pellets annually. Unloading, storage and handling capabilities are also being developed at the Ports of Hull (one million tonnes annually) and Immingham (three million tonnes annually). storage and reclaim for the wood pellets. After delivery to the site by train, pellets are automatically unloaded as the train pass-es, without stopping, through a dedicated multi-level unloading building incorporat-ing a 15 m deep sheet piled basement. The fuel is transported via a system of conveyers, most supported on steel gantries, to a maximum height of 65 m. A process building facilitates the screening of the fuel to remove oversized materials and ferrous contaminants. The fuel is then conveyed to one of four 63 m diameter, 50 m high storage domes, each one capable of storing YOUR BULK BAG WOOD PELLET SPECIALIST OFFERING YOU A WIDE RANGE OF FILLING, DISCHARGE AND HANDLING OPTIONS Available features Custom bulk bag printing and fabric colours available Anti-static bulk bags Remote discharge Baffle style U-panel or circular construction Custom fit loops Food grade production & certification Proud member of WOOD PELLET ASSOCIATION OF CANADA Drawing on its 10 years of biomass expe-rience, 40 years operating the U.K.’s largest power plant, and the experience in execut-ing its turbine upgrade, Drax appears to have completed conversion of its first boiler flawlessly. The Drax team expects that in its first year of operation, the biomass boil-er will be at about 80 per cent availability, which meets its target. The incredible size of this $1.2-billion project has to be seen to be truly compre-hended. The Drax Power Station is the size of a small city. Construction is taking place on a huge portion of the site, at the three U.K. seaports, at the U.S. Port of Ba-ton Rouge, and at its two large-scale pellet plants in Louisiana and Mississippi. And Drax has been able to remain operating and profitable as the project proceeds. When the project is finished, Drax Pow-er Station will likely be the world’s largest biomass generating plant, reducing emis-sions by more than 80 per cent relative to coal. In the words of Jason Shipstone, head of engineering, “We started design and engi-neering in 2011 and we started construction work in 2012. It’s been hugely enjoyable and as an engineer it’s a very cool project to be involved in.” Gordon Murray is executive director of the Wood Pellet Association of Canada. He encour-ages all those who want to support and benefit from the growth of the Canadian wood pellet in-dustry to join. Gordon welcomes all comments and can be contacted by telephone at 250-837-8821 or by e-mail at [email protected]. www.polyprosolutions.ca | [email protected] | 514-730-2433 For more on coal conversions, go to www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca MARCH/APRIL 2014 28 Canadian BIOMASS
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