for this location. In addition, we had to complete this system with a 34,200-L hot water storage tank that stores the surplus heat in periods of relatively low heat-ing,” says Bernard Blouin, engineer for the manufacturer. “A 20-tonne silo feeder has also been built, which provides self-sufficiency for seven days,” he adds. The boiler controls were set up by subcontrac-tor Controles CEI, located in Victoriaville, and the system includes an air filtration system and a dust and ash collector. The biomass boiler is designed to burn relatively wet feedstock. “We need-ed a system that could run with forest residues but also with willow—that means a biomass that has a humidity rate of 35%,” Gobeil says. The estimated pay-back time for such an investment should be “not more than one-and-a-half years for a greenhouse of less than 3,000 m 2 . Otherwise, the move is not profitable,” he says. The total costs of the pilot project could be up to $540,000, including the furnace and boiler system itself and all the other parts of the project, such as documentation that will be available for the greenhouse association’s mem-bers. “In addition to the Quebec Union of Greenhouse Producers’ participation, Photo: Martine Frigon AboVE: Transfab Énergie installed the 550-kW bio-mass furnace, which is fed wood chips by a 20-tonne silo feeder. The control system monitors temperature sensors in the greenhouses and at the hot water stor-age tank and uses that information to run the biomass heating system. RIGht: Luc Verrier’s greenhouse complex is provid -ing a model of biomass heating for other producers to learn from. the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPAQ) contrib-uted $213,000, and another provincial organization, l’Agence de l’efficacité én-ergétique (Energy Efficiency Agency), contributed $205,000 from its biomass conversion and fuel consumption reduc-tion programs. The balance was paid by Verrier and the Union,” explains Gobeil. Sensors have been installed to measure the water temperature in the greenhouses and at the boiler. Already with the new system, Verrier has seen an improvement in temperature control, and thus, in crop production. “I harvested at least a week in advance compared to last year,” he says. “The system, along with the sensors, con-trols the temperature in each unit. I am really confident that this move will be a positive experience.” • presents SPC Sweden Power Chippers AB Turn waste into profit! #161 See us at booth Bois/ du emaine at “S Wood Week “ & 10, September 9 City 2011 Quebec From dry shavings, sawdust or similar material – Silvana specializes in providing turn-key, small-scale pellet press solutions from SPC Sweden to fit your specific needs. Talk to us and start making more profit now! 4269 Sainte-Catherine Street West, #304 Montreal, QC H3Z 1P7 Tel: 514 939-3523 Fax: 514 939-3863 www.silvanatrading.com www.pelletpress.com Silvana Import Trading Inc. Silvana biomass aug11.indd 1 Canadian BIOMASS 21/07/11 7:33 AM 25
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