US Dept. of Energy / Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Nexterra's bioenergy plant will heat the entire ORNL campus, pictured above,
the largest science and energy laboratory in the United States. Photo credit: Jason Richards ORNL
ORNL's Renewable Energy System
The Nexterra energy-from-renewable-waste system is the cornerstone of an $94 million contract for Johnson Controls and the energy conservation measures being taken at the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory – the largest science and energy laboratory in the United States. Nexterra's renewable energy system provides a number of benefits to ORNL including increased energy security, lower costs and improved air quality. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by approximately 23,000 tonnes per year.
"This project showcases…innovative clean energy technologies that can make us more energy independent. We have a terrific partner in Johnson Controls and a proven gasification technology leader in Nexterra."
– Dr. Thom Mason, Director, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
ORNL Gasification System
Customer:
US Department of Energy and Johnson Controls for ORNL
Location:
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Facility Type:
DOE Energy Research Laboratory and Bioenergy Science Center
Application:
Biomass plant provides heat for the ORNL campus
Nexterra Scope of Work:
Nexterra supplies complete gasification system
Benefits
Ultra low air emissions equivalent to
natural gas.
Enables shut down of four fossil
fuel-fired boilers
23,000 tonnes/yr GHG reduction
Long term fuel cost savings
Supports local business by using locally sourced wood waste
Illustration of Nexterra's gasification system at the
DOE's Oak Ridge National Lab in Tennessee.
Highlights
Start-up: January 2012
Capacity: 60,000 lbs/hr low pressure steam
Fuel: Locally sourced forest and sawmill waste
Fuel moisture content: 10% to 50%
Process
3 gasifiers convert wood biomass to combustible syngas.
Clean syngas is burned in the oxidizer.
The hot flue gas is directed through a steam boiler.
The steam is then distributed to all ORNL campus buildings.
The ESP further cleans flue gas before releasing it out the stack.
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