Wood Bioenergy » wood pellet plant

Georgia Biomass Off-Line After Explosion

Web Editor — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:35:12 +0000

The new Georgia Biomass wood pellet plant at Waycross, Ga. is off-line after a flash explosion in the pellet processing area halted production at the facility on the morning of June 20. According to industry sources, the explosion occurred in or near a pellet machine, and explosion vents on the bin above blew out and directed pressure and flames outside the building.

No plant personnel were in the immediate area of the fire, but the facility was evacuated and shut down, with fire officials posting a truck at the plant the remainder of the day in case of a flare-up. Local fire officials said damaged equipment included a cooler, section of conveyor belt and a pellet storage bin. Plant Manager Ken Ciarletta said the damage was confined to a small portion of the facility, and the company is still assessing the dollar amount involved while investigating the root cause so any similar event can be prevented in the future.

The facility, known as the “world’s largest pellet plant,” had only recently started up and held a large ribbon-cutting ceremony May 12. Utilizing south Georgia’s extensive pine resource, the Georgia Biomass plant is rated to produce 750,000 tons of wood pellets annually, destined for European utilities that are substituting wood pellets for coal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company is a subsidiary of major European utility RWE Innogy of Germany. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, RWE officials noted the $175 million plant is a major commitment for the company to operate more sustainably and meet European pollution reduction goals.

Pellet Maker Acquires Norbord Land

Web Editor — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:31:02 +0000

New England Wood Pellet LLC (NEWP) officials have announced the acquisition of Norbord’s Deposit, NY property and plans to build a new 100,000 ton-per-year state-of-the-art wood pellet manufacturing facility on the site, where Norbord is operating a medium-density fiberboard plant until the sale closes in early November.

NEWP currently owns plants in Jaffrey, NH and in Schuyler, NY. The company will ship an estimated 155,000 tons in 2009, making it one of the largest wood fuel pellet manufacturers in the Northeastern U.S. A wholly-owned NEWP subsidiary, Propell Energy, sells and services wood pellet boilers for municipal and commercial heating. The company currently employs 75 people at its various locations.

NEWP expects to complete construction of the new Deposit plant in the fourth quarter of 2010, with plans to reach full production capacity in the first half of 2011. The plant will employ an estimated 20 people, with indirect employment in wood supply, transportation and retailing of product estimated at over 100 jobs. Construction of the plant will utilize local labor and employ dozens of skilled workers at various points during the 9-12 month construction period.

Ark. Pellet Plant to Break Ground Aug. 13

Web Editor — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:00:03 +0000

The city of Camden and Phoenix Renewable Energy LLC of Hot Springs are scheduled to break ground Thursday on a $110 million wood pellet plant.

The plant is expected to hire about 40 workers and employ 30 truck drivers eventually.

The biomass-fuel power plant and pellet manufacturing plant will be located on a 44-acre site, which previously belonged to International Paper Co. To generate steam power for plant operation, the company will use slash from timber harvesting sites, waste from mill sites and organic yard and landscape waste from the community.