District Energy - 2009 3rd Quarter

opment effort, the university chose to install a new boiler solely fired on biomass to meet future steam demands. This new boiler, which will provide steam to an existing cogeneration steam turbine generator, will be a bubbling fluidized-bed design capable of burning a wide range of biofuels. The boiler will be rated for 150,000 lb/hr at 900 psi and 850 degree F steam conditions.

The boiler procurement is out to bid, and the supplier is expected to be selected by fall 2009. The environmental permit application has been submitted, with construction expected to commence fall 2010. With the boiler replacement project, MU will be replacing and upgrading its fuel handling system to better handle all solid fuels for the plant including coal, TDF and biomass.

MU continues to develop biomass fuel sources for the power plant. With the new boiler, the plant will expand its biomass use from 5,000-10,000 tons annually up to 100,000 tons. A more enhanced fuel management program will be needed.

Like most campus power plants, MU’s
plant has very limited space on site. Plans are

For potential future biomass
sources, the plant intends to
partner with campus agricul-
ture and forestry departments.

therefore being made to utilize an off-site facility for biomass storage and preparation. Initially, the focus will be on currently available streams of biomass, such as mills, tree companies, industry waste, opportunity biomass, etc. Easily developed sources like forestry thinning and agriculture crop residues will follow, depending on need. For potential future biomass sources, the plant intends to partner with campus agriculture and forestry departments to explore growing fuels specifically for the plant, such as woody biomass and switch grass. With Missouri’s abundance of forest and agriculture, along with the university’s innovative spirit, the plant is sure to continue supplying reliable, clean, efficient and cost-effective renewable energy for Mizzou.

Continuing the Energy Legacy

MU’s innovative biomass development efforts continue the institution’s legacy of energy innovation. The expanded use of renewable biomass meets today’s energy challenges and prepares MU for the future. While the country struggles to find the best way to shift away from fossil fuels, MU, like many IDEA system members, is leading the way with highly efficient district energy systems integrating new renewable energy technologies and strategies.

Gregg P. Coffin, PE, superin-
tendent of the University of Missouri
power plant, has more than 26
years’ experience in utility produc-
tion system engineering and man-
agement. He is a mechanical engi-
neering graduate from Missouri Science and
Technology University and a licensed profes-
sional engineer in Missouri. Coffin also con-
tributes to the MU Sustainable Energy Center
and serves on IDEA’s board of directors. He can
be contacted at coffing@missouri.edu.