Dan Chang Bio-Energy (DCB) and Phu Khieo Bio-Energy (PKB) are two of the subsidiaries of the Mitr Phol Sugar Group (MPSG). MPSG is the first sugar milling group in South East Asia to have invested in high efficiency cogeneration plants to optimize the energy use of bagasse. The major components of the plant are two boilers with an individual hourly capacity of 120 tonnes of steam at 68 bar (a) and 510 degree C and a 41 MW extraction condensing turbo-generator. The expected pay back period for these two projects is about 5 years after commissioning.

CUSTOMER VIEWPOINT

In an interview with Mr. Sirisak Tatong, Managing Director of Power Businesses explained: “With the expertise of our employees and the implementation of modern technology, the bagasse remaining from the sugar production is brought back to be used as fuel for production of steam and electricity. The energy obtained during this process is partially utilised in the sugar production process. The rest is supplied to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) for further distribution to local communities. This natural source of energy is clean and friendly to all people. It also helps improve the quality of life for people living in the communities.

Mr Sirisak Tatung Managing Director of Power Businesses, Mitr Phol Sugar Corp.Ltd.

Apart from using bagasse, Mitr Phol Sugar Group also purchases other kinds of biomass fuels such as sugarcane leaves and rice husks from our farmers. The purchase not only supports the farmers to improve their incomes but also prevents natural resource destruction caused by cane burning. Further, by investing in biomass technology and using indigenous resources in Thailand, our group can help reduce national dependence on foreign imports for fuels.”

Mr. Sirisak underlines that this cogeneration project is providing high technology transfer to his organisation. The high efficiency of the cogeneration system will reduce the cost of electricity. He also commented that he is satisfied with the European supplier’s performance. He added that the COGEN 3 team always provided him and his company with excellent advice during the whole development of the projects.

SUPPLIER VIEWPOINT

Mitr Phol Sugar, Thailand’s leading sugar producer, have installed these high efficiency biomass-fired cogeneration plants at their Dan Chang and Phu Khieo mills in Thailand. The plants, supplied by Alstom under turnkey contracts, are indeed designed to cover the needs of process steam for the mill during the sugar season and to export power onto the grid throughout the year. Biomass, comprising bagasse and rice husks, will fuel two boilers specifically designed for this duty. The boilers deliver steam to an advanced steam turbo-generator rated at 41 MWe. Process steam is then extracted from the turbine for sugar milling and refining.

Both plants have been in operation since 2004. Although cogeneration and exporting some power into a local grid is nothing new to the sugar industry, these plants are different in that they were designed as much for power generation as for meeting the needs of the mill. In many respects, they are closer to small IPP’s (Independent Power Producers) than traditional sugar mill power plants. These plants are the first of this type to actually proceed in this region.

These projects constitute another success for the Industrial Boilers & Plants Business (IBPB) Department created within ALSTOM. “The synergies created by this new business were a significant contributor to our ability to win this order against other international competitors,” says Mr. Graham Salter, Managing Director of the IBPB Department.

The implementation of biomass-fuelled green energy power plants is currently one of the Thai Government’s highest priorities. DCB and PKB Plants will be among the largest power plants of this kind in Thailand.

STEAM AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLIED BY HIGH PRESSURE BOILERS AND
EXTRACTION - CONDENSING TURBO-GENERATORS