BIOS, ABSTRACTS, PHOTOS
Co-firing Sewage Sludge, Biomass and Municipal Waste
ARIE VERLOOP – JANSEN COMBUSTION AND BOILER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
BIO: ARIE VERLOOP, P.E. is Vice President of Technology and Client Relations with Jansen Combustion and Boiler Technologies, Inc. (JANSEN), located in Kirkland, Washington.
He obtained a B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Twente in The Netherlands. In past positions at JANSEN since 1980, Arie has been Process Engineer, Manager of Process Engineering, and Vice President since 1997.
Arie’s primary expertise focuses on process engineering aspects of biomass and chemical recovery boiler combustion and operational performance, such fuel burning capacity and economy, reliability and up-time, air emissions, corrosion, and safety factors.
He is recognized process expert and valuable resource in waste fuel-fired boiler performance evaluations, capacity upgrade feasibility studies, operational reviews and troubleshooting. For over 20 years, Arie has participated in BLRBAC, AF&PA, TAPPI, and NAWTEC (North American Waste-to-Energy Conference). He has (co-)authored many technical papers and has conducted numerous Operations Training Seminars and Biomass Boiler Workshops. He is a licensed Professional Chemical Engineer.
BRANDON BELL – KBR POWER & INDUSTRIAL
ABSTRACT: This presentation will cover typical problems associated with the conversion of coal units to co-fire biomass. Biomass fuels vary widely depending on regional availability and have a big impact on the feasibility of co-firing biomass. Current EPA regulations that affect pollution control requirements for Independent Power Producers, Agricultural Cooperatives, and Utilities with regards to biomass units are discussed. Additional equipment and operational considerations for various biomass fuels will also be presented.
THOMAS MAESTRI - SYNAGRO
BIO: Tom has 30 years experience in project development and corporate management within the energy, environmental, and residuals management industries. Specific experience includes development and implementation of projects based on municipal and industrial biosolids treatment technologies, fluidized bed incineration, waste to energy, power generation, cogeneration, district heating, landfill gas recovery, and biogas production and use. In addition to working for a number of major firms, Tom has owned and operated three project development/consulting firms including his current company TJM Project Services, managed various service companies, and managed the construction and startup of private power production facilities. Tom has also served on various boards and advisory committees, written and presented numerous technical papers, and prepared and implemented numerous technical training sessions.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
EDUCATION: Manhattan College, Bronx, New York - Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
ABSTRACT: “Co-Combustion of Sewage Sludge with Non-Solid Waste Fuels”
Recently EPA-promulgated new source performance standards and emissions guidelines for sewage sludge incineration require MACT air pollution control standards under Section 129 of the Clean Air Act; this as opposed to less stringent Section 112 boiler standards previously applied. The changes have created new financial burdens on existing sludge combustion facilities and cast a shadow over many new projects which had planned to use sewage sludge as a primary fuel or to co-fire sewage sludge with biomass or other non-solid-waste fuels. A simultaneous EPA ruling on how various combustion materials (non-hazardous secondary materials) would be identified as solid waste when burned in a combustion unit has further complicated the issue. This presentation outlines the issues and discusses solutions to dealing with the potential technical and economic challenges created by the new rule when co-firing sewage sludge.
KEVIN DAVIS – REACTION ENGINEERING
BIO: Dr. Davis has spent the last 18 years with Reaction Engineering International, a leader in research, development, and consulting services for combustion-related industries. His responsibilities have included management of New Business Development and Research & Development. Dr Davis’ efforts involving the utilization of biomass began with laboratory characterization of the combustion properties of biomass-derived oils and chars in the early 90’s at Sandia national Labs and continued at REI with the development of biomass-specific advanced modeling techniques. During recent years Dr Davis has led REI’s efforts utilizing advanced modeling and fuels characterization techniques to evaluate the impacts of biomass firing in power and industrial boilers.
Prior to joining REI, Dr. Davis received his PhD from Princeton University for his work in developing new techniques for synthesizing nano-scale particles of advanced ceramics. He then joined the Combustion Research Facility at Sandia National Labs where his work in the area of coal char oxidation was recognized by the Combustion Institute with its Silver Medal. Dr Davis has served on several committees for the National Research Council, the US Department of Energy, NASA, and the American Chemical Society as a combustion/fuels specialist.
Replacement of coal with biomass has long been recognized as a potential means of mitigating carbon dioxide and other emissions from solid-fuel-fired power generating stations. International, national, regional and local drivers have resulted in a number of past and current conversions of this type. These conversions range from biomass co-firing with coal to 100% biomass conversions of pulverized coal and grate boilers. The combustion of biomass presents unique design and operational challenges and can benefit greatly from the application of cutting edge modeling tools. Recently, Reaction Engineering International has tailored in-house modeling capabilities to address deposition and corrosion concerns related to these conversions. Using advanced fuel characterization (such as CCSEM and partial chemical fractionation) and the application of multi-phase reacting CFD tools, predictions of deposition, sintering and corrosion provide valuable reassurance that fuel-specific design objectives can be met.
ABSTRACT: Replacement of coal with biomass has long been recognized as a potential means of mitigating carbon dioxide and other emissions from solid-fuel-fired power generating stations. International, national, regional and local drivers have resulted in a number of past and current conversions of this type. These conversions range from biomass co-firing with coal to 100% biomass conversions of pulverized coal and grate boilers. The combustion of biomass presents unique design and operational challenges and can benefit greatly from the application of cutting edge modeling tools. Recently, Reaction Engineering International has tailored in-house modeling capabilities to address deposition and corrosion concerns related to these conversions. Using advanced fuel characterization (such as CCSEM and partial chemical fractionation) and the application of multi-phase reacting CFD tools, predictions of deposition, sintering and corrosion provide valuable reassurance that fuel-specific design objectives can be met.