Greater efficiencies at Brazilian biomass plant with variable frequency drives

August 2023 Motion Control & Drives

The implementation of variable frequency drives at a biomass plant in Brazil has resulted in increased efficiency, lower energy consumption, and reduced emissions. The biomass plant, which converts waste material into heat and energy, previously utilised a damper-controlled ventilation system and continuously moving material conveyor to feed the burners. This outdated setup caused the fans to run at a constant maximum speed, regardless of the required ventilation flow. Additionally, the system suffered from inefficiencies caused by an excess of material being fed into the burners.

Santa Carina-based Tavares Automation used VFDs from Invertek Drives to optimise the plant’s processes. The Optidrive E3 and P2 VFDs were integrated into the system, offering precise control and optimisation capabilities. The biomass plant was highly inefficient, resulting in high energy costs and emissions. The objective was to control the ventilation accurately and optimise the biomass burning process.

The implementation involved replacing the damper ventilation system with a VFD-controlled setup, enabling precise control of fan speed according to the required air flow. This immediately led to reduced energy consumption and improved boiler efficiencies. The feeding mats responsible for material transport were automated, ensuring only the necessary amount of material was used, preventing accumulation and inefficient burning. The mat’s speed could be adjusted or stopped based on the required quantity. As a result, the customer achieved greater boiler efficiency, with reduced biomass consumption and electricity costs. Additionally, the optimised burning of biomass significantly decreased the emission of gases into the atmosphere.

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