Koda Energy expected to resume operations soon at 23.4-MW biomass CHP plant in Shakopee, Minnesota, after April fire; facility is fueled with biomass blend including wood pallets, malt byproducts, oat hulls, sawdust and woodchip
Audrey Dixon
LOS ANGELES
,
November 1, 2013
(Industry Intelligence)
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Koda Energy LLC expects to resume operations soon at its Shakopee, Minnesota, biomass CHP plant that was damaged earlier this year by a fuel silo explosion and fire, Biomass Magazine reported on Oct. 22.
In addition to restoring and repairing the plant, Koda also made additional efforts to redesign its operating system to increase safety and efficiency.
Among the operations that will be first to resume is service to Rahr Malting Co., to which Koda Energy provides heating. Koda also supplies Xcel Energy and provides heat for the Shakopee and Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Biomass Magazine reported.
The company plans to run the boiler temporarily on natural gas at minimum output from November, but expects to resume operating at full capacity on biomass fuel early in 2014, according to the article.
The Shakopee plant is fueled by a blend of biomass sources including ground wood pallets, malt byproducts, oat hulls, sawdust and woodchips. A new system has been adopted to handle its fuel and minimize dust, which is believed to have been the cause of the April 25 explosion.
The upgrades to the system include multiple tools to prevent fires, such as dust control, fire sprinkler systems, infrared cameras, and deflagration venting, all designed such that a partial failure of the system will not compromise the safety of production, Biomass Magazine reported.
The primary source of this article is Biomass Magazine, Grand Forks, North Dakota, on Oct. 22, 2013.
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