ECO SWM Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based company, has  invested in a 0.53 MW wood waste fired-cogeneration plant in order to cover most of its energy requirements. This plant is composed of a boiler with an hourly capacity of 15 tonnes of steam at 22 bar(a), a 530 kW back pressure turbo-generator and some peripheral equipment. The boiler was supplied by Vyncke NV (Belgium) and the turbo-generator by KKK (Germany). The expected pay back period is less than 3 years after commissioning.

CUSTOMER VIEWPOINT

“ECO SWM is a one-stop waste management solution provider. It offers efficient and safe waste management through comprehensive waste minimisation, recovery and disposal. Being a major waste management company in Singapore, ECO SWM’s recycling facility receives wood wastes such as pallets, packing material, boxes, formwork, and sawdust from the industries. The wood waste-fired power plant consists of a boiler supplying steam to a turbo-generator producing 530 kW for the recycling plant as well as 15 tonnes of steam per hour for the downstream waste treatment process, explained Col. (RTD) Chua Tiong Guan, Managing Director of ECO SWM.

The selection of Vyncke instead of other suppliers is a reflection of our confidence in the Vyncke system to provide us with a modern, efficient and reliable boiler, which would be easy to operate and maintain. In our selection process for the most suitable system and technology, we were delighted by the assistance and expertise made available through the EC-ASEAN COGEN Programme (COGEN 3),” pursued Col. Chua.

He added: “The plant further strengthens our mission to contribute towards the protection of the environment through efficient waste management. We expect to realise the benefits of savings in fuel cost, efficiency of operation and minimal pollution from this system.”

ECO SWM COGEN PLANT

SUPPLIER VIEWPOINT

Col. (RTD) Chua Tiong Guan Managing Director

“The Vyncke plant at ECO SWM includes automatic fuel supply and ash handling. The heart of the plant is our worldwide patented Dynamic Watercooled Stepgrate and is most probably the best available combustion technology,” says Jef Mestdagh, the Regional Manager of Vyncke in South East Asia.

“This combustion system has been selected to meet the emission standards of Singapore, which are the most stringent emission regulations in South East Asia. This plant with its state-of-the art combustion system is located in the economical center of South East Asia and we are very happy that ECO SWM has not spared any effort to make it a real showroom plant.”

Mr. Jef Mestdagh Regional Manager, South East Asia

“Initially, the project was only about a wood waste-fired boiler that would supply steam to the waste treatment process. But upon advice from experts from COGEN 3 and with their assistance in showing the viability of cogeneration, it quickly became clear that cogeneration was even a better solution for ECO SWM. With electricity generation of 530 kWe, it makes the energy plant self sustaining with extra electricity power output to their waste treatment process.”

In 2003, Bee Joo Industries Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of ecoWise Holdings Ltd, a Singapore-based resources management and environmental solutions company, decided to invest in a 1 MW wood wastes fired-cogeneration plant. The latter consists of a boiler with an hourly capacity of 15 tonnes of steam at 22 bar(a), a 1 MW back pressure turbo-generator and peripheral equipment. The boiler was supplied by Vyncke NV (Belgium) and the turbo-generator by KKK (Germany). The expected pay back period is 3 years after commissioning.

CUSTOMER VIEWPOINT

“ecoWise provides resources management services and environmental solutions to maximise the use of resources and minimise waste,” explains Mr. Lee Thiam Seng, Executive Chairman, ecoWise Holdings Limited.

“The collected waste constitute a raw material from which we produce recycled products that address market needs. ecoWise is a licensed general waste collector. We provide clearance and disposal services for used copper slag and general waste, including wooden crates and pallets. We are an appointed clearing and services contractor for major shipyards and fabrication yards in Singapore.”

Mr. Lee Thiam Seng, Executive Chairman

Mr. Lee continued, “We are excited by the opportunities presented by the biomass-fired cogeneration plant. We are now able to recycle more wood wastes and make a greater contribution to the recycling efforts of Singapore as the wood waste can be converted into energy in the form of heat and electricity.”

“ecoWise also generates more revenue from the increased collection of wood waste. The heat and electricity generated are used to further leverage our recycling and future activities. They contribute towards increased earnings and profitability,” Mr. Lee concluded.

SUPPLIER VIEWPOINT

Mr. C.L.Chong, Managing Director

Mr. C.L. Chong, Managing Director of Jebsen & Jessen Technology, explains that the key factor of the ecoWise project was the selection of a simple, robust, reliable and efficient machine to meet the customer’s requirement in heat and power. With this in mind, a Kuhnle Kopp & Kausch (KKK) single stage impulse turbine was selected for its easy operation and low maintenance characteristics. The modular construction makes it easy to optimise the output for this particular application.

“Like all axial flow KKK turbines, the proven components make it an ideal machine for dry saturated steam and for frequent starts and stops. The efficiency advantage of these models means that this single-stage turbine can reach the efficiency of multi-stage turbines.”

“The ecoWise plant is another perfect example of the COGEN 3 effort in promoting renewable energy cogeneration plants. COGEN 3 financial analysis showed a viable return of investment and that cogeneration applications are possible, even in Singapore, with its limited biomass waste resources.”, concludes Mr. Chong.

ecoWise HEAT BALANCE

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