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Argus Biomass London 2015 April_v1 web

Larry Weick
Larry Weick

Larry Weick presented on the latest developments of Zilkha Black pellets. The presentation discussed how Zilkha Black pellets are made through a thermal conditioning process, which produces a hard pellet that has benefits over traditional white pellets such as being grindable, low-dust, and water-resistant. This allows Black pellets to be used in existing power plants and handled similarly to coal. The startup of Zilkha's Selma plant was also discussed, which proves white pellet plants can be converted to produce Black pellets and accelerate their availability to buyers.

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Latest Developments for Black Pellets: Benefits for Heat & Power Plants in Europe and Asia Larry Weick, SVP Business Development Argus European Biomass Trading 2015 London April 15, 2015
2 Zilkha Black速 PelletsA Real Option for Heat & Power Producers Advanced wood pellet that is: Grindable Low-dust Water-resistant Can be burned in existing steam turbine power plants Co-fired up to 100% Reduced capital required Certified sustainably harvested Carbon neutral compared to traditional fossil fuels
3 Argus Biomass and Trading How Black pellets are made Selma: construction status, conversion scope, pellet transport & storage at port Safety in Operations: Advantages of Black vs. white
4 Zilkha Black速 Pellet Technology
5 What Is a Black Pellet? Zilkha Black速 pellets are thermally conditioned biomass pellets 100% wood with no natural or artificial additives. NONE. The thermal conditioning process is well known. NOT TORREFACTION The pellet itself has mechanical and physical properties which are highly desirable for use in power plants to replace coal Specifically, Black pellets are harder than white pellets because when pelletized, the abundant free lignin melts and acts as a water resistant glue As a result Black pellets have reduced fines and very low dust compared to conventional white pellets. Not zero. But greatly reduced. Black pellets can be shipped, received, stored, conveyed, and milled just like coal
6 Zilkha Technology at a Glance Manufacturing of Zilkha Black速 Pellets is similar to the production of standard white pellets, with the addition of our patented thermal conditioning step. Intake Sawdust, wood chips, and first thinnings Drying Reduce moisture content from ambient (~50%) to 6-10% Proprietary Patented Zilkha Thermal Conditioning Milling & Pelletizing Feedstock is resized then passed through dies to create Zilkha Black速 pellets
7 Making Black Pellets Wood is chipped, sealed in a pressure vessel, and pressured with steam After cooking briefly (5-15 min) the pressure is quickly released and the steam pressure blows the material into a receiving tank The conditioned material moves by conveyor to a standard pellet mill Wood is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin (~1/3-1/3-1/3) The thermal conditioning frees the lignin Lignin is a natural waterproof glue which melts at ~125+ C, a temperature which is reached inside the pellet die Results in a tight, hard pellet bonded together with a natural, waterproof glue No additives are used. Of any kind. HOW: KEY:
8 Thermal Conditioning Before and After Hammer-milled wood particles before thermal conditioning The result AFTER thermal conditioning: the wood is more easily pelletized and is glued using abundant lignin
9 Feedstock, Conditioned, and Pelletized Feedstock Conditioned Pelletized
10 End Result: A Direct Replacement for Coal How do Black pellets stack up vs. white pellets ? Harder and more brittle Fewer fines Less dust Water resistant Just Like Coal
11 Selma Plant Startup Trucking of Finished Black Pellets to Terminal Underway
12 Selma Plant Commissioned & Startup Underway Zilkha Thermal Conditioning Island
13 First Black Pellets from Selma
14 Selma Rebuild = General Improvements + Black Conversion General improvements: New chip yard (scale, truck dump, radial stacker, chip reclaim, scalper, green chip resizing, new green feed delivery conveyors) Dryer island (dryers reconditioned, new fuel system) Pelleting (reconditioned pellet machines, aspiration, pellet conveyors) Outloading (more storage, de-dusting, truck loading station) White to Black conversion: Black pellet island (thermal conditioning and blow tank) Post conditioning (dry grinding, delivery conveyors)
15 Conversion to BlackReroute Through Conditioning ChipyardDryers Pelleting Coolers Outloading Resizing
16 Adding Black Unit Achieves Conversion from White Chipyard
17 New Thermal Conditioning Island
18 Pellet Trucking from Selma to Mobile, Alabama 173 miles from Selma to Mobile 25 Metric Tonnes per Truck 36 Trucks per Day 216 Trucks per Week 936 Trucks per Month 11 Hours of Unloading per Day / 6 Days per Week End-Dump Wood Chip Trailer Truck Loading System
19 Terminal Operations in Mobile Pellets received using truck dump dedicated to Black pellets Pellets stored in hopper barges
20 Barges Fleeted Prior to Mid-Streaming Onto Ships Barge Fleeting Area Barge Fleeting Area Mid-stream Ship Loading
21 Reduce White Pellet Safety Risk by using Black Pellets Plus Operational Benefits from Use of Coal Handling Methods
22 White Pellet Risk Factors Key areas where Black pellets have a storage and handling advantage: Self Heating Off-Gassing Dust
23 Dust = very real explosion risk Explosion mitigation takes capital beyond that required to handle coal Off-gassing of CO, CO2, and CH4 require venting during storage and transport Pellet pile self heating can lead to fires White Pellets Taught Safety Lessons Source: Staffan Melin. Safety in Handling Wood Pellets. 2008.
24 University of Nottingham: Self Heating Not Present University of Nottingham 2 thermally conditioned piles and 2 wood chip piles 6 month storage test Conclusion: Thermally conditioned Black pellets, both indoor and outdoor, saw no distinct increase in temperature. No evidence of self-heating.
25 UBC: Dangerous Gas Emissions Greatly Reduced Less methane: WHITE BLACK Less carbon monoxide: WHITE BLACK More oxygen: BLACK WHITE Zilkha Black速 pellets tested at UBC were far less reactive than white pellets. Black pellets were found to have significantly reduced oxygen depletion Oxygen depletion is a significant operational issue. Extra workers and other special safety restrictions are required for workers entering white pellet storage areas These results @ 25 C. but similar results @ 45 C.
26 Minimal Dust from Conveyor Drop Pellets drop several feet from final conveyor discharge at Zilkhas Crockett plant No visible dust
27 Parking Lot Drop Test Shows Minimal Dust Pellets stored outside in Europe Urban location sensitive to dust Pellets were exposed to a few days of rain Operator test was looking for dust
28 Black Pellets are Water-Resistant which Means Zilkha Black速 Pellets compared to conventional white pellets after brief exposure to water
29 Black Pellets Load Like Coal and No Problem with Rain
30 Black Pellets Can Use Established Dust Suppression Technology Water is a very effective, widely used method of dust suppression for coal. The same methods can be used for Black pellets. Just like coal.
31 Water Spray on Coal at Transfer Points & Hoppers Transfer Points Hoppers
32 Zilkha Black Pellet Outdoor Storage Experience Canada Sweden
33 Zilkha Black Pellet Outdoor Storage Experience Coal Black Pellets Denmark France
34 Licensing Overview Adding equipment to white pellet plants allows plant owners to make Black pellets in both existing and new plants Zilkha provides the technology under a license which includes continuous improvement of the technology Black pellets have transportation cost savings that support making Black pellets Black pellet buyers benefit through significant capital and operating cost savings due to reduced dust and improved safety Black pellet producers can expect to a return on their capital investment to make Black pellets at existing or new white pellet plants
35 Summary Zilkhas Selma plant constructed, commissioned, and startup underway with trucking operations beginning this week Selma proves conversion of white pellet plants to make Black pellets is straightforward White conversions to Black will accelerate Black pellet availability The combination of conversions and new build Black plants provide geographic diversity as well as multiple suppliers through licensing Cooperative backup relationships and agreements will form a robust supply system Zilkha Black pellets offer a low capital solution for power producers Black pellets handle, store, and can be managed just like coal Black pellets are a lower risk, cost effective option for heat and power plant owners

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Argus Biomass London 2015 April_v1 web

  • 1. Latest Developments for Black Pellets: Benefits for Heat & Power Plants in Europe and Asia Larry Weick, SVP Business Development Argus European Biomass Trading 2015 London April 15, 2015
  • 2. 2 Zilkha Black速 PelletsA Real Option for Heat & Power Producers Advanced wood pellet that is: Grindable Low-dust Water-resistant Can be burned in existing steam turbine power plants Co-fired up to 100% Reduced capital required Certified sustainably harvested Carbon neutral compared to traditional fossil fuels
  • 3. 3 Argus Biomass and Trading How Black pellets are made Selma: construction status, conversion scope, pellet transport & storage at port Safety in Operations: Advantages of Black vs. white
  • 5. 5 What Is a Black Pellet? Zilkha Black速 pellets are thermally conditioned biomass pellets 100% wood with no natural or artificial additives. NONE. The thermal conditioning process is well known. NOT TORREFACTION The pellet itself has mechanical and physical properties which are highly desirable for use in power plants to replace coal Specifically, Black pellets are harder than white pellets because when pelletized, the abundant free lignin melts and acts as a water resistant glue As a result Black pellets have reduced fines and very low dust compared to conventional white pellets. Not zero. But greatly reduced. Black pellets can be shipped, received, stored, conveyed, and milled just like coal
  • 6. 6 Zilkha Technology at a Glance Manufacturing of Zilkha Black速 Pellets is similar to the production of standard white pellets, with the addition of our patented thermal conditioning step. Intake Sawdust, wood chips, and first thinnings Drying Reduce moisture content from ambient (~50%) to 6-10% Proprietary Patented Zilkha Thermal Conditioning Milling & Pelletizing Feedstock is resized then passed through dies to create Zilkha Black速 pellets
  • 7. 7 Making Black Pellets Wood is chipped, sealed in a pressure vessel, and pressured with steam After cooking briefly (5-15 min) the pressure is quickly released and the steam pressure blows the material into a receiving tank The conditioned material moves by conveyor to a standard pellet mill Wood is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin (~1/3-1/3-1/3) The thermal conditioning frees the lignin Lignin is a natural waterproof glue which melts at ~125+ C, a temperature which is reached inside the pellet die Results in a tight, hard pellet bonded together with a natural, waterproof glue No additives are used. Of any kind. HOW: KEY:
  • 8. 8 Thermal Conditioning Before and After Hammer-milled wood particles before thermal conditioning The result AFTER thermal conditioning: the wood is more easily pelletized and is glued using abundant lignin
  • 9. 9 Feedstock, Conditioned, and Pelletized Feedstock Conditioned Pelletized
  • 10. 10 End Result: A Direct Replacement for Coal How do Black pellets stack up vs. white pellets ? Harder and more brittle Fewer fines Less dust Water resistant Just Like Coal
  • 11. 11 Selma Plant Startup Trucking of Finished Black Pellets to Terminal Underway
  • 12. 12 Selma Plant Commissioned & Startup Underway Zilkha Thermal Conditioning Island
  • 14. 14 Selma Rebuild = General Improvements + Black Conversion General improvements: New chip yard (scale, truck dump, radial stacker, chip reclaim, scalper, green chip resizing, new green feed delivery conveyors) Dryer island (dryers reconditioned, new fuel system) Pelleting (reconditioned pellet machines, aspiration, pellet conveyors) Outloading (more storage, de-dusting, truck loading station) White to Black conversion: Black pellet island (thermal conditioning and blow tank) Post conditioning (dry grinding, delivery conveyors)
  • 15. 15 Conversion to BlackReroute Through Conditioning ChipyardDryers Pelleting Coolers Outloading Resizing
  • 16. 16 Adding Black Unit Achieves Conversion from White Chipyard
  • 18. 18 Pellet Trucking from Selma to Mobile, Alabama 173 miles from Selma to Mobile 25 Metric Tonnes per Truck 36 Trucks per Day 216 Trucks per Week 936 Trucks per Month 11 Hours of Unloading per Day / 6 Days per Week End-Dump Wood Chip Trailer Truck Loading System
  • 19. 19 Terminal Operations in Mobile Pellets received using truck dump dedicated to Black pellets Pellets stored in hopper barges
  • 20. 20 Barges Fleeted Prior to Mid-Streaming Onto Ships Barge Fleeting Area Barge Fleeting Area Mid-stream Ship Loading
  • 21. 21 Reduce White Pellet Safety Risk by using Black Pellets Plus Operational Benefits from Use of Coal Handling Methods
  • 22. 22 White Pellet Risk Factors Key areas where Black pellets have a storage and handling advantage: Self Heating Off-Gassing Dust
  • 23. 23 Dust = very real explosion risk Explosion mitigation takes capital beyond that required to handle coal Off-gassing of CO, CO2, and CH4 require venting during storage and transport Pellet pile self heating can lead to fires White Pellets Taught Safety Lessons Source: Staffan Melin. Safety in Handling Wood Pellets. 2008.
  • 24. 24 University of Nottingham: Self Heating Not Present University of Nottingham 2 thermally conditioned piles and 2 wood chip piles 6 month storage test Conclusion: Thermally conditioned Black pellets, both indoor and outdoor, saw no distinct increase in temperature. No evidence of self-heating.
  • 25. 25 UBC: Dangerous Gas Emissions Greatly Reduced Less methane: WHITE BLACK Less carbon monoxide: WHITE BLACK More oxygen: BLACK WHITE Zilkha Black速 pellets tested at UBC were far less reactive than white pellets. Black pellets were found to have significantly reduced oxygen depletion Oxygen depletion is a significant operational issue. Extra workers and other special safety restrictions are required for workers entering white pellet storage areas These results @ 25 C. but similar results @ 45 C.
  • 26. 26 Minimal Dust from Conveyor Drop Pellets drop several feet from final conveyor discharge at Zilkhas Crockett plant No visible dust
  • 27. 27 Parking Lot Drop Test Shows Minimal Dust Pellets stored outside in Europe Urban location sensitive to dust Pellets were exposed to a few days of rain Operator test was looking for dust
  • 28. 28 Black Pellets are Water-Resistant which Means Zilkha Black速 Pellets compared to conventional white pellets after brief exposure to water
  • 29. 29 Black Pellets Load Like Coal and No Problem with Rain
  • 30. 30 Black Pellets Can Use Established Dust Suppression Technology Water is a very effective, widely used method of dust suppression for coal. The same methods can be used for Black pellets. Just like coal.
  • 31. 31 Water Spray on Coal at Transfer Points & Hoppers Transfer Points Hoppers
  • 32. 32 Zilkha Black Pellet Outdoor Storage Experience Canada Sweden
  • 33. 33 Zilkha Black Pellet Outdoor Storage Experience Coal Black Pellets Denmark France
  • 34. 34 Licensing Overview Adding equipment to white pellet plants allows plant owners to make Black pellets in both existing and new plants Zilkha provides the technology under a license which includes continuous improvement of the technology Black pellets have transportation cost savings that support making Black pellets Black pellet buyers benefit through significant capital and operating cost savings due to reduced dust and improved safety Black pellet producers can expect to a return on their capital investment to make Black pellets at existing or new white pellet plants
  • 35. 35 Summary Zilkhas Selma plant constructed, commissioned, and startup underway with trucking operations beginning this week Selma proves conversion of white pellet plants to make Black pellets is straightforward White conversions to Black will accelerate Black pellet availability The combination of conversions and new build Black plants provide geographic diversity as well as multiple suppliers through licensing Cooperative backup relationships and agreements will form a robust supply system Zilkha Black pellets offer a low capital solution for power producers Black pellets handle, store, and can be managed just like coal Black pellets are a lower risk, cost effective option for heat and power plant owners