Automated storage systems reduce fugitive dust emissions, and lower the carbon footprint of an operation. site has undergone a number of modernizations since opening in 2016, including the adoption of a fully automated woodyard. The plant either takes delivery of pre-processed wood chips via its two back-on truck dumpers, or takes delivery of full logs which are then processed in a drum chipper to turn them into chips. All wood chips are stacked and stored using a circular blending bed stacker reclaimer. The entire wood-processing and handling operation delivers a very efficient system that bene -fits from all the advantages of automation, ensuring the plant’s highest yields. Enviva Biomass also operates a Bruks circular blending bed stacker reclaimer at its Green Circle Bio Energy Inc plant in Cottondale, Fla. It began operations in 2008 and, with the help of its fully automated woodyard, has gone from an annual green wood chip processing capacity of 500,000 metric tons to three million. SUSTAINABLE STEPS feedstock/energy losses, and economic losses. Optimization of biomass storage along the supply chain for the reduction of these negative effects using a FIFO storage method is essential to im-prove bioenergy as a renewable and profitable energy source. The overall effect of the biological, chemical and physical reactions, which occur in dormant biomass piles, leads to a suc-cession of microorganisms as pile temperatures increase, which in turn releases GHG emissions, such as CO2, CH4 and CO, into the atmosphere. In a FIFO system, the oldest product is reclaimed and pro-cessed first, before newer material. Using older material first helps ensure the material a processor utilizes is consistent and keeps your pile moving. As the global demand for renewable energy intensifies, bio -fuel plants are being developed and promise the potential of consigning fossil fuels to the past. Part of this increasing com-mercialization is the growing importance of proven, reliable wood processing technology and biomass storage. • Joanne Turnell has been in the biomass and wood pro-cessing industry for more than 25 years, and is the cap-ital sales representative for Bruks Siwertell in Canada. [email protected] EXPERIENCE THE BENEFITS OF MOISTTECH'S Automated Moisture Control Sensor on the Production Line Mills, pellet plants and power-generation facilities all operate on tightly controlled schedules with very little downtime. Wood-yards and all their constitute components should deliver their contents day-in, day-out with the same levels of efficiency, reli -ability, and material consistency. Storing and reclaiming organic biomass materials such as wood chips, bark or sawdust is a specialist task. Stacker reclaim-ers are a combination of technologies that pile and then retrieve dry bulk materials for onward conveying in a very efficient, controlled way. They also blend material, which is particularly important for organic commodities to reduce fibre losses from microbial action and heat build-up in the pile. Stacker reclaim-ers can form linear, semi-circular and fully circular piles in a range of sizes and capacities. Varying moisture contents and differences in densities, fibre properties and calorific values are just some of the consider -ations. Also, most forms of biomass are very dusty, prone to catch fire or in fact self-ignite, and will freeze as well. Degrading biomass during storage leads to several unfa-vorable outcomes including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, CONSTANT MONITORING Allows for a constant, non-contact solution to moisture measurement directly on the production line in real time CLOSED LOOP Measuring moisture directly on the production line produced instant, accurate data that can be easily communicated to a PLC -creating a closed loop process IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENTS A MoistTech system provides improved product quality, lower waste and energy costs, process optimization, increased plant efficiency, dryer control and reduced downtime [email protected] www.moisttech.com USA: +1 941-727-1800 CB_Moisttech_Spring23_CSA.indd 1 Canadian BIOMASS 2023-04-26 9:20 AM 19
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