North Country HospitalBiomass Combined Heat & Power (CHP)Biomass Combined Heat & Power (CHP)

and District Heating System

Presented byBruce Hamilton, P.E.Facilities Department

North Country HospitalNewport, VT

History of DevelopmentBiomass system installed in 2005

Wood gasifier 16.8 MMBtu/hr, 500 HP Hurst high-press boiler. Fire-tubeElliott turbine unit and 350kW WEG gen setElliott turbine unit and 350kW WEG gen. setCyclone dust collection systemCost $1.5 million, $250,000 DOE Grant

Absorption Chiller installed in 2006Trane 500 ton unitTrane 500 ton unitCost $600,000

District Heating Expansion Project in 2010Extend existing biomass district heating to new campus building- HW and CW extended approx. 900 ft. to new MOBppCost $300,000 with 50% Matching Grant Funding through Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund and allocated from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

NCH Currently only hospital in Vermont with Biomass CHP system (VA Hospital in White River Junction biomass CHP system under construction)River Junction biomass CHP system under construction)

Boiler & Gasifier

Gasifier

Gasifier Interior, Fire Tube

Chip Auger

Ash Cleanout Bin

Elliott Turbine & WEG Generator

Cyclone, ID Fan

Absorption Chiller

Chip Delivery

Exterior View

Wood Chip Storage/Delivery

Chip Storage Bin

District Heating Extension

District HW Heating/Cooling Piping

Steam-to-HW Heat Exchanger

District Heating/Cooling Piping

Operating parameters prior to CHP Projectsj

Utilized approx. 400,000 gal. #2 Heating oil annually at current value of $1.3 million ($3 25/gal)($3.25/gal)Electrical chillers utilizedCampus medical office building utilizedCampus medical office building utilized approx. 30,000 gal. #2 fuel oil at current value of $102,900. Electric chiller unit.$ ,

Operating parameters following CHP ProjectsUtilize approx. 4,500 tons of wood chips at cost of $270 000 ll ($60/t ) hi h id b th$270,000 annually ($60/ton) which provides both heating and cooling for facility. More chips used during summer cooling periods.Utilize approx. 20,000 gal. #2 fuel oil annually (during maintenance and shut-downs)Electrical generation 10-20% of overall buildingElectrical generation 10 20% of overall building loadsCampus office building- heating and cooling now provided by district systems (no fossil fuel used)provided by district systems (no fossil fuel used)

Summary of System OperationsHeating oil used annually prior to CHP- 400,000 gal (current value $1 3 million)gal. (current value $1.3 million)Heating oil used for campus building prior to district heating expansion- 30,000 gal. (current value $202 900)value $202,900)Wood chips used annually after CHP conversion providing heating and cooling for buildings- 4,500

( $ )tons (cost $270,000)Net annual savings (excluding capital deprec., O&M) $1.23 million) $

Overview of CHP System OperationsGenerate approx. 1 55-gal. drum of ash/week and 1 55-gal. drum of flyash/month.drum of flyash/month.Ash residue sold to organic farms as soil amendmentRoutine equipment repairs- air lock seals, fuel arms, gasifier refractory, control panels, auger repair and replacementy, p , g p pTurbine- 150-250psi inlet and 10psi outlet; induction motor no net-meteringLow-pressure steam for building AHUs; med. process steam for sterilizers, laundry and food serviceFuel demand year-round (unlike schools)

Recommendations and Considerations regarding Biomass CHPInvolve all parties very early on in the planning process- e.g. fuel suppliers, maintenance personnel, designers, contractors, administration governance board membersadministration, governance board members Budget 1-1.5 FTEs for system O&MIf possible, one vendor for all system components rather than cafeteria optionReview vendor and supplier service and support historyReview vendor and supplier service and support historyBasis of design should accurately reflect the current and future needs of the facility (don’t over or under-design) and consider incremental staging components (accommodates wider range of loading)loading)Component selection consistent with existing systems- e.g. building automation network, VFDs, electrical and control panels