2021 Issue 2 - Pellet Mill Magazine

Issue 2, 2021

DUSTING UP ON HAZARDS Tools and Technology for Incident Prevention, Mitigation Page 16

AND: US Fuel Pellet Data Review Page 10

Controlling Combustible Dust Page 22

www.biomassmagazine.com/pellet

:R U O G o V / D U J H V W % L R H Q H U J \ ( Y H Q W

*URZ <RXU 1HWZRUN (QKDQFH <RXU .QRZOHGJH 3URGXFHUV 5HFHLYH )5(( 5HJLVWUDWLRQV 5HJLVWHU 7RGD\

1DWLRQDO%LRPDVV6XPPLW FRP

1 $7 , 2 1 $ /

6 8 0 0 , 7 ( ; 3 2 D %LRPDVV 0DJD]LQH HYHQW

DW WKH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO )XHO (WKDQRO :RUNVKRS ([SR ZZZ 1DWLRQDO%LRPDVV6XPPLW FRP

3URGXFHG %\

_ VHUYLFH#EELLQWHUQDWLRQDO FRP _ #%LRPDVV0DJD]LQH

Contents »

2021 | VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 2

FEATURES 10 DATA

A Resilient Year Despite challenges, the U.S. wood pellet manufacturing industry experienced a solid heating season.

By Anna Simet

16 FIRE & EXPLOSION

Tools and Technology for Dust, Fire and Explosion Mitigation Staying in control of combustible dust and associated hazards can mean the difference between no incidents and catastrophe.

By Luke LeRoy

04 EDITOR'S NOTE Good Housekeeping is Priceless

By Anna Simet

05 EVENTS

COLUMNS

06 Despite Everything, 2020 was Strong for Pellet Producers

By Tim Portz

07 ISO TC 238: A Year of Robust Activity

By Chris Wiberg

08 BUSINESS BRIEFS Pellet Mill Magazine

Advertiser Index 28

2022 Int'l Biomass Conference & Expo

2

2021 National Biomass Summit & Expo

27 12 24 9 8

25 21 13 14 18 20 19 23 15

2021 Int'l Biomass Conference & Expo

CONTRIBUTIONS 22 DUST CONTROL

Controlling Combustible Dust Spillage Using a toolbox approach to dust management allows pellet mills to address problems at the source.

By Greg Bierie

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 24 CV TECHNOLOGY

Fire and Explosion Prevention Technology

25 FLAMEX

A Unique, Effective Fire and Explosion Protection Solution

CPM Global Biomass Group CV Technology

Delta Energy Services, LLC Evergreen Engineering FLAMEX Inc.

Industrial Bulk Lubricants (a Dansons company) KEITH Manufacturing Company

Mid-South Engineering Company MoistTech

Oxidizers, Inc. PAL s.r.l.

Rembe, Inc.

Timber Products Inspection / Biomass Energy Laboratories

ON THE COVER

Sawdust purchased from sawmills and other wood processors is a common (and flammable) wood pellet feedstock.

PHOTO: STOCK

WWW.BIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM/PELLET 3

« Editor's Note

Good Housekeeping is Priceless

Anna Simet

EDITOR asimet@bbiinternational.com

Summer is (mostly) here, and lately, I have been seriously considering purchasing a wood pellet grill. I have been told countless times by industry friends that the taste is exponentially better than gas and charcoal grilling (and also that it’s easy). As those in the market know, BBQ pellets have seen explosive growth over the past few years, so much that I have been considering adding it as a data category for the North American Wood Pellet Production Map. It may be as simple as asking fuel pellet producers if they also make grilling pellets, or a little more detailed such as asking for a rough percentage in terms of their heating-to-grilling pellet ratio. I’m looking for feedback on what data points might be useful (and practical) to capture, so reach out to me with any feedback you might have.

Moving on to the specifics of this issue, our theme is fire and explosion protection, and dust control. This is a theme we have every year, and for good reason: The material that is the lifeblood for this industry—wood dust—is a flammable substance. Add heat and friction into the mix, and you have a recipe for risk. There are many companies working in this space to provide wood pellet producers with the knowledge, tools and equipment necessary to best prevent, monitor and manage the hazards associated with wood dust. Many of them presented at the virtual International Biomass Conference & Expo this spring, and freelance writer Luke LeRoy captured these conversations in his page-16 feature, “Tools and Technologies for Dust, Fire and Explosion Mitigation.” One concept reiterated by the experts featured in the story is the impact of good housekeeping—it can mean the difference between crisis averted and catastrophe. Says Chris Giusto of Hallam-ICS, “Because good housekeeping is integral to all aspects of combustible dust safety, it must be considered and reviewed at every stage of the production cycle. In fact, good housekeeping is critical in the avoidance of secondary events, which are often the most destructive.” From dust hazard analyses to NFPA standards to understanding different risks and safety strategies available, there’s plenty to digest in this story.

Other themed content includes our page-22 contribution, “Controlling Combustible Dust and Spillage,” in which Benetech’s Greg Bierie provides some insight about and real project examples of what he dubs “safety by design.” In addition, be sure to check out this issue’s Sponsor Spotlight section on pages 24-25, which features content from industry pros CV Technology and FLAMEX. With in-person industry events slowly returning as the pandemic wanes in the U.S., I have a couple of trips on the books: The Pellet Fuels Institute annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky, in June, as well as a new event—the National Biomass Summit & Expo, July 13-15. Colocated with BBI International’s 37th annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo, as well as the Biodiesel & Renewable Diesel Summit, this event may be something you want to keep your eye on. The agenda is in development and will be ready soon, so stay tuned.

Subscriptions to Pellet Mill Magazine are free of charge—distributed 4 times/year—to Biomass Magazine subscribers.To subscribe, visit www.BiomassMagazine.com or you can send your mailing address to Pellet Mill Magazine Subscriptions, 308 Second Ave. N., Suite 304, Grand Forks, ND 58203. You can also fax a subscription form to 701-746-5367. Back Issues & Reprints Select back issues are available for $3.95 each, plus shipping. Article reprints are also available for a fee. For more information, contact us at 866-746-8385 or service@bbiinternational.com. Advertising Pellet Mill Magazine provides a specific topic delivered to a highly targeted audience. We are committed to editorial excellence and high-quality print production. To find out more about Pellet Mill Magazine advertising opportunities, please contact us at 866-746-8385 or service@bbiinternational.com. Letters to the Editor We welcome letters to the editor. Send to Pellet Mill Magazine Letters to the Editor, 308 2nd Ave. N., Suite 304, Grand Forks, ND 58203 or email to asimet@bbiinternational.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity and/or space.

4 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2 2021

Industry Events »

2021 National Biomass Summit & Expo

July 13-15, 2021

Iowa Convention Center - Des Moines, Iowa

Editorial

EDITOR Anna Simet asimet@bbiinternational.com ONLINE NEWS EDITOR Erin Voegele evoegele@bbiinternational.com

DESIGN

VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCTION & DESIGN Jaci Satterlund jsatterlund@bbiinternational.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Raquel Boushee rboushee@bbiinternational.com

Publishing & Sales

CEO Joe Bryan jbryan@bbiinternational.com PRESIDENT Tom Bryan tbryan@bbiinternational.com VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS/ MARKETING & SALES John Nelson jnelson@bbiinternational.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Howard Brockhouse hbrockhouse@bbiinternational.com SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Chip Shereck cshereck@bbiinternational.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Jessica Tiller jtiller@bbiinternational.com MARKETING & ADVERTISING MANAGER Marla DeFoe mdefoe@bbiinternational.com MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Dayna Bastian dbastian@bbiinternational.com

Organized by BBI International and produced by Biomass Magazine, this sister event to the renowned International Biomass Conference & Expo will bring U.S. producers of bioenergy and biobased fuels together with waste generators and biomass aggregators, municipal leaders, utility executives, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, project developers, investors and policy makers. Supported by the attendance of nearly 2,000 industry professionals at Bioenergy Week, the Summit is a can't-miss summer networking junction for all biomass professionals.

(866) 746-8385 - www.NationalBiomassSummit.com

2021 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo

July 13-15, 2021

Iowa Convention Center - Des Moines, Iowa

From its inception, the mission of this event has remained constant: The FEW delivers timely presentations with a strong focus on commercial-scale ethanol production—from quality control and yield maximization to regulatory compliance and fiscal management. The FEW is the ethanol industry’s premier forum for unveiling new technologies and research findings.

The program is primarily focused on optimizing grain ethanol operations while also covering cellulosic and advanced ethanol technologies.

(866) 746-8385 - www.FuelEthanolWorkshop.com

2022 International Biomass Conference & Expo

March 14-16, 2022

The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, Jacksonville, FL

The 15th annual International Biomass Conference & Expo unites industry professionals from all sectors of the world’s interconnected biomass utilization industries—biobased power, thermal energy, fuels and chemicals. Produced by Biomass Magazine, this event brings current and future producers of bioenergy and biobased products together with waste generators, energy crop growers, municipal leaders, utility executives, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, project developers, investors and policy makers. It’s a true one-stop shop– the world’s premier educational and networking junction for all biomass industries. This event provides the opportunity to meet face-to-face with industry experts who will offer new technology and solutions to making plants and facilities safely operate at peak capacity and optimum efficiency.

(866) 746-8385 - www.BiomassConference.com

Please check our website for upcoming webinars www.biomassmagazine.com/pages/webinar

COPYRIGHT © 2021 by BBI International

Please recycle this magazine and remove inserts or samples before recycling TM

WWW.BIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM/PELLET 5

Despite Everything, 2020 Was Strong for Pellet Producers

BY TIM PORTZ

In March, the U.S. EIA published our sector’s production and sales data for December 2020, completing the dataset for the year and offering the industry a chance to compare the year in its entirety to the others in its archives.

Despite my predictions in the last issue of Pellet Mill Magazine, we were not able to eclipse the 2019 sales figure (2.22 million tons), falling just short with total sales of 2.18 million tons. Sales in 2020 were tracking just slightly ahead of 2019 figures through October, but a mild start to winter saw sales sag in November and December, with almost 60,000 fewer tons sold in the last two frames of 2020 than in the year prior. Despite the utility of this important dataset curated by the EIA, what it does not and cannot convey is the perilous business environment this near-record year saw producers having to navigate.

In the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seemed that the industry was on the precipice of managing the biggest business disruption in the sector’s history.

In late March, wood pellet producers were long on questions and very short on answers or certainty. Would producers be able to remain safely in operation? How? Would upstream fiber partners so vital to pellet manufacturers be able to remain in operation? Would consumer demand for the products those partners manufactured continue unabated? Some of those questions were answered in short order, as federal guidance on wood product manufacturing secured our sector’s status as essential. Other questions could only be answered in time, and were illuminated by the slow accumulation of sector data and anecdotes from the field.

Wood pellet production lagged in April, with the sector logging just 122,000 tons of production, the lowest one-month total since July 2018. As the 2019-’20 heating season ended and the pandemic accelerated, producers lengthened planned maintenance outages, phased out peak-season throughput totals or just modulated their production throttles slightly. Beginning in April, monthly output trailed 2019 numbers, but only slightly. The last nine months of 2020 saw the sector average 164,000 tons a month, down from 177,000 in 2019, but still well ahead of the monthly production averages of 2016-’18.

6 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2 2021

Considering the uncertainty that surrounded the industry and the others that wood pellet producers rely on—not only for their fiber, but also to sell their finished product in the early months of the year—2020 must be considered a runaway success.

This year also underscored how vitally important wood pellet manufacturers are to our upstream and downstream partners. Our ability to safely remain online assured upstream manufacturers that if they were able to remain in production, wood pellet producers would be ready to and willing to pay for their residuals. This cannot be overlooked. Sawmills and wood product manufacturing sites across this country throw off incredible volumes of clean, high-quality residuals. In 2020, wood pellet producers purchased 8.7 million tons of these residuals. At 23 tons of fiber per load, that equates to 350,000 individual truckloads.

A convoy of that number would stretch from Anchorage to Miami. Had the wood pellet sector not been able to remain in operation, the fiber bottleneck would have soon snuffed out upstream sawmilling and wood product manufacturing.

Finally, most of the pellets produced and sold in bags are used to heat peoples’ homes. It is believed that over 1 million American homes use wood pellets either as a primary or supplemental heat source, and those homeowners needed pellet producers to figure out how to overcome the challenge of the pandemic. They certainly did, continuing to deliver to the market a high-quality fuel to heat what were not only people’s homes, but had become remote offices and children’s classrooms as well. The fact that the sector was able to meet this challenge in the most uncertain of times and deliver upon our commitments to both our fiber partners and our end users is not articulated in the data. Instead, this accomplishment can only be captured in stories told years from now that begin, “Do you remember when ... ?”

Author: Tim Portz Executive Director, Pellet Fuels Institute tim@pelletheat.org www.pelletheat.org

ISO TC 238: A Year of Robust Activity

BY CHRIS WIBERG

ISO TC 238 is the International Standards Organization’s Technical Committee through which numerous countries around the world are working together to develop standards for solid biofuels. While the efforts of ISO TC 238 are ongoing, historically, they have been most robust during the annual plenary and working group meetings held in the spring of each year. Last year’s plenary was cancelled due to COVID-19, and this year’s meeting is now planned as a virtual event in June. While ISO TC 238 has not met in person since May 2019, we have found new efficiency in using video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. To date, ISO TC 238 has published 44 methods with 12 methods currently under development. The following is an update as to which projects are currently in motion.

A U.S.-led project of interest is ISO 23343-1, determination of water sorption and its effect on durability in thermally treated biomass fuel pellets. For biomass thermal treatment technology initiatives, a common selling point is that the material becomes water resistant and can be stored outside.

This test method is designed to determine how much water sorption occurs in thermally treated biomass fuel pellets when immersed in water, and also assesses the durability of the product before and after immersion. This project is in its final stages of publication and has been unanimously approved by all participating countries.

Another standard of significant interest is ISO 5370— Determination of Fines Content in Pellets. In prior years, an issue was raised with ISO 18846 (the current method for determining fines content in pellets) whereby it was found that for samples with larger amounts of fines, the method was not sufficient to fully remove the fines from the pellet sample.

During the past couple years, a research initiative was conducted to determine how much sieving is necessary to properly remove fines from various types of pelletized materials.

The sieving technique was evaluated to better standardize this manual technique, and a validation study was conducted to prove that the new method can be performed in repeatable fashion. As a result, ISO 5370 will soon be released as a committee draft for further development by the international community. When published, ISO 5370 will replace ISO 18846. One of the major differences includes using 20 sieve rotations for samples where fines are expected to be higher than 1% (e.g., 10 rotations still useable for residential pellet markets, but 20 rotations used for industrial markets).

In addition to new methods, previously published methods come up for systematic review every five years. This past year has been very busy with these systematic review projects.

In particular, several of the previously published specifications and classes documents (ISO 17225-1 through 7) are in the process of systematic review, all of which have had varying levels of modification. If you are currently relying on any of these documents for determining fuel quality, it would be wise to review the updated documents when published.

Additionally, ISO TS 17225-8 (specifications and classes for thermally treated solid biofuels) is also up for systematic review. This technical specification is currently being considered for, and will likely be converted to, an international standard. This process is still in very early stages, so anyone producing or planning to produce thermally treated solid biofuels would be wise to engage with the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to review and provide feedback on the up-andcoming changes to this document.

Finally, there are also several physical test methods up for systematic review, including those for ash, moisture, volatile matter, length, diameter, bulk density, durability and particle size distribution. Most of these documents will see minor revisions to update method references, alignment with other documents published since their initial adoption, and clarification of language that has proven confusing to method users. Two of these methods—bulk density and length—will have substantial modifications. The bulk density method was inherently flawed in that method users have adopted a wide range of techniques for how this method is conducted.

The length method is flawed in that it does not provide clear definition for what constitutes the measuring point at each end of the pellet, and when used to assess the percent of overlength pellets, the samples size is far too small to provide a representative result. These issues will be addressed in the revised versions of these methods.

The U.S. TAG currently has approximately 50 members and is administered by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. We are always looking for individuals to join our efforts to review these standards as they are developed, ensuring they are well thought out and reflective of U.S. interests in the global solid biofuels industry. If you would like to join the U.S. TAG, please contact Scott Cedarquist at ASABE (cedarq@asabe.org).

Author: Chris Wiberg VP of Laboratories, Timber Products Inspection/Biomass Energy Lab cwiberg@tpinspection.com www.tpinspection.com

WWW.BIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM/PELLET 7

Business Briefs

PEOPLE, PRODUCTS & PARTNERSHIPS

IEP Technologies introduces IV8 Flameless Vent IEP Technologies has introduced the IV8 Flameless Explosion Vent, the latest addition to its range of passive explosion protection solutions. The IV8 provides a solution for process vessels that are located inside a building or areas where standard exPHOTO: IEP TECHNOLOGIES plosion venting cannot be safely employed.

With a single IV8 certified to protect up to 12.3 cubic meters, IEP can now provide a maximum protected volume of 49.2 cubic meters. Enclosed within a durable carbon steel coated frame, the IV8 employs a unique folding mechanism for the integrated stainless steel relief vent and flame-arresting mesh. The integrated vent burst detection sensor allows plant personnel to respond accordingly in the event of an explosion within the protected application.

King, Collins introduce updated BTU Act Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, on April 20 announced the reintroduction of an updated Biomass Thermal Utilization Act, which aims to provide tax credits for commercial and industrial wood heating appliances. It would also extend and increase the existing residential tax credit.

The tax credit for residential wood heating appliances was established last year. Currently, it applies to the installed cost of home heating and hot water systems that utilize wood pellets, chips and cordwood

8 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2 2021

at efficiencies greater than 75 percent high heat value. The ITC is for 26 percent in 2021 and phases down to 22 percent in 2022 and 2023.

The King and Collins bill would enact a similar credit for commercial and industrial applications and increase and extend the existing residential credit through 2028. The bill would also restore the existing Section 25 ITC for residential wood heating systems to 30 percent, while extending the credit through 2028.

Great Lakes Renewable Energy PHOTO: BBI INTERNATIONAL

Lignetics buys Great Lakes Renewable Energy Generational Capital Markets recently announced the sale of its client, Great Lakes Renewable Energy Inc., to Lignetics Inc. Located in Hayward, Wisconsin, GLRE Energy is a wood pellet manufacturer specializing in BBQ wood pellets, primarily under the Lumber Jack Grilling Pellets brand. The company is the only round

log pellet mill in the world that has devoted its future capacity to producing this product, and it is the only mill making a 5.5 millimeter pellet. GLRE serves over 1,200 recurring customers in various BBQ sub sectors across the globe including seasoning, sporting goods, leisure and professional meat-smoking companies.

Lignetics, headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, is the largest residential wood pellet manufacturing company in the U.S. It has a production capacity of over 1.2 million tons of wood pellets per year and owns 17 manufacturing plants across the country.

PHOTO: Renova

Drax completes acquisition of Pinnacle Drax Group plc announced on April 13 that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc. The transaction increases Drax’s annual wood pellet production capacity to 4.9 million metric tons by 2022, up from 1.6 million metric tons pre-acquisition.

Pinnacle is the second-largest producer of industrial wood pellets in the world. The company operates nine production facilities in western Canada and one in Alabama. An additional facility is under construction in Alabama, with more in development. Pinnacle also owns a port terminal in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

The transaction boosts Drax’s wood pellet production capacity by 2.9 million metric tons. With the addition of Pinnacle’s 11 sites, Drax owns 17 pellet plants and development projects.

Renova begins construction on Japan biomass plant Japan-based Renova Inc. announced on April 1 that construction is underway on its Omaezakikou Biomass Power Plant, a 75-MW facility under development approximately 150 miles southwest of Tokyo in Omaezaki and Makinohara, Shizuoka Prefecture.

The plant will be fueled with wood pellets and palm kernel shells.

Commercial operations are expected to commence in July 2023. The facility is being developed in partnership with three cosponsors, including Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc., Suzuyo Shoji Co. Ltd. and Mitsubishi Electric Credit Corp.

The Omaezakikou Biomass Power Plant is one of several bioenergy projects developed by Renova. The company’s biomass generation portfolio also currently includes the 20.5 MW Akita Biomass Power Plant, which began operations in mid-2016, and the Kanda and Tokushima Tsuda biomass power plants that are currently under construction.

7+( 7$/(17 62/87,216 3$571(5 <28 1((' 72 '(/,9(5 (;&(//(1&(

$Q (QHUJ\ ,QGXVWU\ 6ROXWLRQV )LUP 0DNLQJ D 'LIIHUHQFH LQ %LR(QHUJ\ )RU PRUH WKDQ \HDUV 'HOWD KDV EHHQ SURYLGLQJ KLJK YDOXH VROXWLRQV WR WKH HQHUJ\ LQGXVWU\ LQ WKH IROORZLQJ DUHDV 3URMHFW 0DQDJHPHQW 6XSSRUW &RQVWUXFWLRQ 0DQDJHPHQW 6XSSRUW (QJLQHHULQJ 'HVLJQ 6XSSRUW 3 6FKHGXOLQJ &RVW &RQWURO 6XSSRUW &\EHU DQG 3K\VLFDO 6HFXULW\ 6WDUW 8S &RPPLVVLRQLQJ 6XSSRUW 'LVDVWHU 5HVSRQVH DQG 3ODQW 5HFRYHU\ +5 6XSSOHPHQWDWLRQ 7R OHDUQ PRUH

6RPH EXW FHUWDLQO\ QRW DOO RI WKH LQGXVWULHV VHUYHG E\ 'HOWD LQFOXGHV :RRG 3HOOHW 3ODQW 6XSSRUW $OO %LRPDVV 6XSSRUW 5HQHZDEOH (QHUJ\ 6XSSRUW (WKDQRO 3ODQW 6XSSRUW $OO ,QGXVWULDO 3ODQW 6XSSRUW $OO :RRG 0DQXIDFWXULQJ 6XSSRUW

3OHDVH YLVLW RXU ZHEVLWH DW KWWS ZZZ :RUN'HOWD FRP &RQWDFW XV DW RU &KDUOHV#:RUN'HOWD FRP RU 6YHQ#:RUN'HOWD FRP RU WWW.BIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM/PELLET 9

WEST

« Data

PACIFIC

A RESILIENT YEAR

MOUNTAIN

Pellet Mill Magazine reviews U.S. EIA Monthly Densified Biomass Fuel Report data for 2020.

BY ANNA SIMET

F

rom weathering the coronavirus pandemic, unprecedented wildfires and passage of the BTU Act, the U.S. wood pellet industry experienced an unusual year. But despite a winter that was 7.4% warmer than normal, the U.S. domestic wood pellet industry sold more than 2.18 million tons of wood pellets, just shy of the 2.2 million tons sold in 2019, which was widely acknowledged as a strong year for producers.

10 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2 2021

HEATING DEGREE DAYS (HDD), U.S. AVERAGE, SEPTEMBER 2020-MARCH 2021 SOURCE: U.S. EIA MONTHLY DENSIFIED BIOMASS FUEL REPORT 11.6% 1,000 2020- ‘21 HDD 12.5% 8.5% NORMAL/AVERAGE 800

400 200 0

12.6%

20.9%

600

DAYS

Heating Degree Days Though warmer than normal, the 2020-’21 heating season was 2.5% colder than the previous heating season, according to U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.

February was the only month colder than normal, at 12.5%. The South Atlantic (West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida), Middle Atlantic (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey) and New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island) regions experienced the highest variations from HDD averages, at 11%, 10.6% and 10.2%, respectively).

5.2% 9.2% SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

EAST

NEW ENGLAND MIDDLE ATLANTIC

WEST NORTH CENTRAL

EAST NORTH CENTRAL

EAST SOUTH CENTRAL

WEST SOUTH CENTRAL

SOUTH ATLANTIC SOUTH

U.S. CENSUS DIVISIONS AND US EIA DESIGNATED PRODUCTION REGIONS HEATING DEGREE DAYS (HDD) BY REGION, 2020-’21

2020- ‘21 CUMULATIVE HDD NORMAL/AVERAGE

SOURCE: U.S. EIA MONTHLY DENSIFIED BIOMASS FUEL REPORT

6,000 5,000 4,000

10.2%

10.6%

7.5%

5.3% 3.3% 11%

3,000

8.6% 3.7%

3.8%

2,000

DAYS

1,000 0

NEW ENGLAND

MIDDLE ATLANTIC

EAST NORTH CENTRAL

WEST NORTH CENTRAL

SOUTH ATLANTIC

EAST SOUTH CENTRAL

WEST SOUTH CENTRAL

MOUNTAIN

PACIFIC

WWW.BIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM/PELLET 11

« Data

FIBER PRICES, SEPTEMBER 2018-DECEMBER 2020 (DOLLARS/TON) SOURCE: U.S. EIA MONTHLY DENSIFIED BIOMASS FUEL REPORT

Fiber Prices, Volume U.S. wood pellet producers purchased just under 17 million tons of fiber in 2020, with the “other residuals” category—bark, logging residue, wood chips, post-consumer wood and unmerchantable wood— representing the largest portion of purchases at 5.7 million tons. Wood product manufacturing residuals contributed to approximately 4.7 million tons of pellet fiber, followed by sawmill residues at 4.1 million tons and roundwood/pulpwood at 2.4 million tons.

Dec.

Oct.

Nov.

Sept.

July

“Other residuals” category includes: bark, logging residues, wood chips, post-consumer wood, unmerchantable wood, and other

Sales, Inventory & Production Domestic wood pellet sales topped 2.18 million tons in 2020, in comparison to 2.2 million tons in 2019. The average price per ton for 2020 was $173.50, compared to $166.25 in the year prior.

Breaking down pellet sales and prices by region, the East sold 1.14 mil-

lion tons, at an average price of approx. $186 per ton. The South came in just under 555,000 tons at an average price of $142 per ton, followed by the West at approximately 488,000 tons at $181 per ton.

As for export sales, submitted data indicates nearly 6.9 million tons of

Growing toward a greener, cleaner future.

(YHU\ \HDU FRPSDQLHV DUH WXUQLQJ PLOOLRQV RI WRQV RI LQGXVWULDO ZDVWH LQWR PLOOLRQV RI GROODUV RI UHVHOODEOH UHXVDEOH PDWHULDOV 7RJHWKHU &30 DQG 'L 3L» 6\VWHPV KHOS PDNH LW KDSSHQ :HȇYH MRLQHG IRUFHV WR EULQJ \RX WKH ZRUOGȇV EHVW PHFKDQLFDO DQG K\GUDXOLF EULTXHWWLQJ WHFKQRORJ\

We’re taking the fossil out of fuel.

)RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ YLVLW FSP QHW RU FDOO 12 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2 2021

Aug.

May

June

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Dec.

Jan. 2020

Oct.

Nov.

Sept.

July

Aug.

May

June

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Dec.

Jan. 2019

Oct.

Nov.

42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26

WOOD PRODUCT RESIDUALS OTHER RESIDUALS

ROUNDWOOD/PULPWOOD SAWMILL RESIDUALS

Sept. 2018

For the first time since the report's inception, residential heating pellet producers manufactured more wood pellets in January than in December.

( :DEDVK $YH &UDZIRUGVYLOOH Ζ1

190 185

DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL PELLET PRICE (DOLLARS/TON SOLD) SOURCE: U.S. EIA MONTHLY DENSIFIED BIOMASS FUEL REPORT

DOMESTIC EXPORT

180 175 170 165 160 155 150

wood pellets at an average price $166 per ton, compared to 6.8 million tons at approximately the same price per ton in 2019.

In January 2019 and 2020, domestic inventory levels were very similar, trending between 50,000 and 55,000 tons. Pellets on the ground in February and March of 2020 were nearly double that of 2019, but the

numbers began to trend closer in June and July, with September 2020 dipping 30,000 tons below September 2019, and leveling out in November.

As for industrial pellet inventory, the South—currently the only region exporting from the U.S.—averaged roughly 356,000 tons of monthly inventory in 2020. Months

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept.

Aug.

July

June

May

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan. 2020

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept.

Aug.

July

June

May

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan. 2019

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept. 2018

145 140

with the lowest and highest numbers of inventory were consecutive, with November and December reports indicating approximately 440,000 and 253,000, respectively.

Compared to 2019, monthly inventory averaged about 326,000 tons, with January and February representing year lows, at 223,000 and 229,000.

WWW.BIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM/PELLET 13

« Data DOMESTIC INVENTORY LEVELS, DECEMBER TO JANUARY, 2016-‘21 SOURCE: U.S. EIA MONTHLY DENSIFIED BIOMASS FUEL REPORT

DECEMBER JANUARY DIFFERENCE

450,000 400,000 350,000 300,000 250,000 200,000 150,000 100,000

-70,540

-39,551

50,000 0

-18,528

-6,331 2016-’17

2017-’18

2018-’19

2019-’20

2020-’21

-50,000

ͻ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ͻ ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌŝŶŐ ͻ WƌŽũĞĐƚ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ͻ ϯ ͬsZ ĞƐŝŐŶ ĂƉĂďŝůŝƚLJ

ͻ ŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟŽŶ ŽŽƌĚŝŶĂƟŽŶ ͻ WƌŽĐĞƐƐ /ŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚƐ ͻ dƵƌŶͲŬĞLJ WƌŽũĞĐƚƐ ͻ ƌŽŶĞ /ŵĂŐĞƌLJ

Domestic production in 2019 and 2020 were very close despite the challenges brought by 2020, reaching over 1.98 million tons during the year, compared to just above 2 million tons in 2019. The East manufactured 1.19 million tons in 2020—just 60,000 less than in 2019. The South and West produced 26,000 and 40,000 tons less than the year prior, respectively.

Looking at 2021 Initial data for January 2021 has been published, though it will likely be updated as post-deadline reporting comes in. So far, some observations of the initial data includes the following: For the first time since the report's inception, residential heating pellet producers manufactured more wood pellets in January than in December. Domestic inventory for domestic wood pellets was approximately 80,500 tons in December, jumping to more than 98,000 tons in January. The smallest inventory gap since the report's inception was in December 2016, when it decreased by about 6,000 tons from December through January. The largest inventory gap was in December 2017, when levels decreased by 70,500 tons from December through January. n

,Žƚ ^ƉƌŝŶŐƐ͕ Z ͻ ĂƌLJ͕ E ͻ KƌŽŶŽ͕ D ͻ ZŝĐŚŵŽŶĚ͕ ǁǁǁ͘ŵƐĞĐŽ͘ĐŽŵ ͻ ϱϬϭͲϯϮϭͲϮϮϳϲ

14 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2 2021

+17,841

440,000

US WOOD PELLET INVENTORY, SEPT. 2018-DEC. 2020 SOURCE: U.S. EIA MONTHLY DENSIFIED BIOMASS FUEL REPORT

420,000

DOMESTIC EXPORT

400,000 380,000 360,000 340,000 320,000 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000

While inventory levels increased from December to January, sales did not. Approximately 177,000 tons were sold in December, with that number dipping to 134,514 in January. The only other year sales decreased from December to January was in December 2016 through January 2017 (216,915 tons to 180,939).

391,000 tons of wood pellet export inventory has been reported for January, approximately 25,000 tons more than in January 2020, and 168,000 more than in January 2019.

With the pandemic waning in many countries, projects temporarily paused or delayed—from stay-at-home orders and worksite restrictions to fiber and equipment supply chain issues—are making headway. That progress, coupled with new U.S. consumer incentives to purchase pellet-consuming appliances (i.e., the BTU Act, which could eventually be expanded to include commercial applications), and rising oil prices, it could—if Mother Nature cooperates—set the stage for a better-than-ever season for U.S. wood pellet manufacturers.

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept.

Aug.

July

June

May

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan. 2020

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept.

Aug.

July

June

May

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan. 2019

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept. 2018

40,000

n

n

Author: Anna Simet Editor, Pellet Mill Magazine asimet@bbiinternational.com 701-738-4961

ϭϲϰϭ ^ŝŐŵĂŶ ZŽĂĚ͕ ŽŶLJĞƌƐ ' ϯϬϬϭϮ

ϳϳϬ͘ϵϮϮ͘ϴϬϬϬ

WƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ YƵĂůŝƚLJ ŽŶƚƌŽů dĞƐƟŶŐ ĂŶĚ džƉŽƌƚ ĞƌƟĮĐĂƟŽŶ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ /ŶƚĞƌŶĂƟŽŶĂů ĂŶĚ ŽŵĞƐƟĐ ŝŽŵĂƐƐ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ

tĞ ĞůŝǀĞƌ ŽŶĮĚĞŶĐĞ͘

WƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ <ŶŽǁůĞĚŐĞ ĂŶĚ ^ŽůƵƟŽŶƐ LJŽƵ ŶĞĞĚ͊ dĞƐƟŶŐ ƉĞƌ ^dD͕ Eͬ E Žƌ /^K DĞƚŚŽĚƐ EƉůƵƐ dĞƐƟŶŐ͕ ƵĚŝƟŶŐ Θ ŽŶƐƵůƟŶŐ

ELRPDVVHQHUJ\ODE FRP WSLQVSHFWLRQ FRP WWW.BIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM/PELLET 15

« Fire & Explosion

Tools and Technology for

Dust, Fire and Explosion Mitigation

Industry experts weigh in on one of the wood pellet industry’s most pressing matters.

I

BY LUKE LEROY

n the expansive scope of airborne combustibles, wood dust is typically a lower explosion severity dust as compared to others, particularly when compared to those produced in the pharmaceutical industry. Even though wood dust is considered moderate, the processes utilized in wood pellet production are intrinsic to creating a highly combustible fuel source.

Unchecked, it could equate to a recipe for disaster.

However, today’s cutting-edge processes, technology and mitigation techniques are powerful tools to protect against and combat the inherent fire and explosion hazards associated with wood pellet production.

Through regulation standards and enforcement bodies, such as OSHA and the National Fire Protection Association, the challenges of managing these hazards are being met head on. But to truly mitigate combustible dust and fire/explosion potential, the responsibility falls on each individual facility.

Assessing the Threat Conducting a dust hazard analysis (DHA) has become the industry standard— and requirement—against which all wood pellet manufacturers are measured. The main goal of a DHA is to capture all the locations and equipment where a combustible dust hazard exists. By examining the

ignitions source types to determine potential ignition sources within a given facility, specific fire and deflagration risk scenarios can be determined before an event occurs.

Once risk factors are identified, recommendations for additional safeguards and ignition control can then be implemented.

Existing facilities must have conducted a DHA by September 2020. For new building and facilities construction, and for processes and facilities undergoing modifications, DHAs must now be completed as part of the process. While the September deadline has come and gone, the requirements stands despite the COVID-19 pandemic and all its associated difficulties.

Rumors of enforcement leniency on noncompliance exist, but it has been business for assessment conductors, with some companies providing flexible options during the coronavirus. “Remote DHAs are an option for some people,” says Jeff Davis, director of engineering at Conversion Technologies.

“We’ve been working through a bunch of different on-site options as well, minimizing contact and minimizing time on site.”

“Hallam-ICS saw a lull as the pandemic first hit,” adds Chris Giusto, director of combustible dust safety. “But a large majority of our clients were considered essential businesses, and they all had to find ways to continue operating safely,” he says.

Equipment including bins, tanks and

16 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2 2021

silos, hammermills, pulverizers and grinders, dryers and dust collectors, conveyors, screw augers and bucket elevators, sifters, screens and classifiers—are all pieces of equipment that must be evaluated both internally and externally for dust and particle buildup. In addition to equipment, general production areas must also be assessed. Combustible dust atmospheres in the rooms and buildings where equipment is housed, open processes, or from malfunctions from closed equipment also need to be risk assessed.

CV Technology's Interceptor-HRD bottles are NFPA-compliant, high-rate discharge suppression bottles that contain pressurized nitrogen and dry chemical suppressant to suppress a deflagration as it develops.

PHOTO: CV TECHNOLOGY

DHA must be reviewed and updated accordingly every five years.”

Professionally conducted DHAs aside, it is critical for facilities themselves to have a thorough understanding and ability to recognize and manage the hazards imposed by wood dust

“Once risk areas are identified, evaluate each item for fire, deflagration and explosion hazards,” Davis adds. “Identify credible ignition sources, such as open flames. Examine all potential electrical hazards, as well as mechanical sparks ... those generated from grinding, impact or friction of processes.

Also be aware of any hot surfaces, and locations where self-ignition can be an issue.

Each of these threat types has a control measure to best mitigate the chances of fire or explosion.”

Once equipment and risk areas are evaluated, it’s pertinent to review existing safeguards and determine where additional controls are required. Consider how fires and deflagration can potentially move between pieces of equipment or buildings, under normal, abnormal and upset conditions.

“The final step is to assess the DHA and determine where additional safeguard and mitigation measures need implementation,” Davis says. “Remember, all DHAs must be performed by a qualified person, and each

Combustible Dust Safety Cycle Chris Giusto serves as the director of combustible dust safety with engineering and controls frim Hallam-ICS, which directs its clients to follow what the firm calls the “combustible dust safety cycle.” It encompasses a DHA, mitigation, management of change (MOC) and—not to be overlooked—excellent housekeeping. “Once a DHA has been completed, mitigation and controlling actions—such as explosion protection devices, equipment upgrades, new procedures or training—should be taken,” Giusto says. “This includes housekeeping.”

WWW.BIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM/PELLET 17

« Fire & Explosion Ranked from most to least effective, controls include elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE. Eliminating a hazard is the most effective way to control risk; as the reliance on personnel increases to mitigate the controls, so does the risk factor. People are more susceptible to human error and, thus, statistically less effective.

The unfortunate situation with combustible dust is that elimination and substitution are generally not applicable as mitigation options, because that dust is an inherent part of the manufacturing of the finished product. For this reason, engineer controls are leaned upon, including explosion venting, suppression, isolation devices and fire protection systems.

For example, a dust collection system isolates people from the hazard by capturing the dust at the source and moving it to a safer location. This engineering control is then supplemented with the administrative control of housekeeping. It’s unwise to rely on housekeeping as a primary defense, but rather, it

should be used to reinforce the engineering control of a properly functioning dust collection system.

Because fuel and oxygen sources are intrinsic to production processes, eliminating them is often not an option. In this case, minimizing ignition risks is the most effective means to mitigating the threats of fire, flash fire and explosion hazards.

In short, MOC is what ensures all mitigations strategies remain effective, according to Giusto. Any housekeeping implications should be documented, noting accumulation levels. Changes here can highlight a potential problem elsewhere before it becomes a safety hazard.

“MOC is crucial, and is described as the best practices used to ensure that safety, health and environmental risks and hazards are properly controlled when an organization makes changes to their facilities, operations or personnel,” Giusto adds. “The overreaching goal of the MOC is to identify new potential hazards and mitigate them proactively.”

It’s also noteworthy that, although changes to facilities, operations, personnel or processes can eliminate or reduce hazards, they hold the potential to create new ones.

“Housekeeping is the hub of the combustible dust safety cycle,” Giusto continues.

“Because good housekeeping is integral to all aspects of combustible dust safety, it must be considered and reviewed at every stage of the production cycle. In fact, good housekeeping is critical in the avoidance of secondary events, which are often the most destructive.”

A secondary event occurs when a primary explosion creates a pressure wave that travels faster than the actual flame front. This pressure wave disturbs fugitive dust accumulations throughout the facility. The flame front, which follows closely behind the pressure wave, ignites the newly airborne dust cloud, causing a chain reaction with the potential to destroy an entire operating facility.

As critical as housekeeping is, it must be considered a last line of defense.

So, how much dust is safe? According to

/HDGHUV LQ 0RLVWXUH 0HDVXUHPHQW &RQWURO QRQ FRQWDFW LQVWDQW DFFXUDWH :LWK YDU\LQJ PRLVWXUH FRQWHQW RQ OLQH 1HDU ΔQIUDUHG PHDVXUHPHQW LV D NH\ WRRO WR HQVXULQJ RSWLPXP HIILFLHQF\ DQG TXDOLW\ FRQWURO 7KH DELOLW\ WR PHDVXUH PRLVWXUH DQG PDNH SURFHVV DGMXVWPHQWV GXULQJ WKH SURGXFWLRQ F\FOH LV NH\

0RLVWXUH FRQWHQW KDV D GUDVWLF HIIHFW RQ TXDOLW\ DQG FDQ OHDG WR SUREOHPV LQ WKH SHOOHWL]LQJ SURFHVV RU H[FHVV GXVW 0HDVXULQJ WKH PRLVWXUH EHIRUH DQG DIWHU WKH GU\HU SULRU WR SHOOHWL]LQJ ZLOO \LHOG VLJQLILFDQW LPSURYHPHQWV WR WKH ILQLVKHG SURGXFW

3URSHU 0RLVWXUH &RQWURO &DQ 0LQLPL]H :DVWH 5HGXFH &RVW ΖQFUHDVH 3URGXFW 4XDOLW\ 0D[LPL]H 3ODQW (IILFLHQF\

LQIR#PRLVWWHFK FRP ZZZ PRLVWWHFK FRP

18 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2 2021

NFPA guidelines, no more than a layered ac- entire manufacturing cycle are most effective cumulation of 1/32-inch, which is approxi- when plant personnel become involved at all mately the thickness of a standard No. 1 pa- levels. Management will become more aware perclip. Note that this is a general guideline, of NFPA requirements, plant personnel will and can vary by industry or material specifics. become involved with mitigation projects, The NFPA also provides additional guide- and all employees will become more aware lines and formulas for calculating the maxi- of hazards and how to best protect against mum layer thickness that accounts for density them, Giusto says. variances of various dust types.

Formal training is the most effective While all these science- and math-based means of speeding up this process, and formulas offer good guidelines, practical ap- NFPA 652 requires hazard awareness training plications are often less black and white. “As for all affected employees, helping personnel a good rule of thumb, if you can’t see the identify hazards and conditions that can lead color of the surface, or distinguish between to hazards, and arming employees with the two surface colors, then the dust layer is too information needed to be proactive in prethick,” Giusto says. “You must remember venting incidents. that combustible dust is a fuel, and that no level of dust accumulation is 100 percent Evolving Industry Standards safe. Aim for zero … removing as much fugiIn 2015, NFPA 652 was released, dubbed tive dust as possible. Get there as close as you the Standard on Combustible Dust. It is decan, as often as you can, within your means signed to provide the basic principles and reand resources.” quirements for identifying and managing the Hazard identification, protection strate- fire and explosion hazards of combustible gies, training and awareness throughout the dusts and particle solids. This quickly became ai161942375016_IMALPALGroup_PelletMill_2021_May-Jun.pdf 1 26/04/2021 09:55:55

the gold standard, a format by which all other standards have been revised to match—creating a starting point for all industries to build from.

With biomass specifically, hazard identification becomes exceptionally important, and changes as the product goes through manufacturing processes. “On the front end of the process, we often have a green or recycled product coming in, which is typically being dried or milled into a much dryer product ... which is going to be much more dangerous from an ignition sensitivity and severity standpoint,” says Jason Krbec, sales engineering manager of CV Technology. “And then when we put it back into a pellet, we get a very different dust on the back end. As we go through the biomass process, that hazard identification changes.”

It’s noteworthy that NFPA 652 is now included in the International Fire Code as a standard to comply with when equipment, processes and operations involve dust explosion hazards. From there, industry- and com-

WWW.BIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM/PELLET 19

« Fire & Explosion modity-specific standards must be references, all the way through state and local fire codes in order to maintain compliance. But despite interagency collaboration and attempted standardization of regulations, gaps still exist. The goal, of course, is to continue to consolidate standardization efforts because it improves combustible dust safety, and it can be challenging for companies with multiple industry functions to comply. In addition, this would maximize and streamline safety expertise.

In short, as Krbec describes it: A cleaner standard equals less combustible dust incidents—and that is the ultimate goal. This notion led to the infancy of NFPA 660: Combustible Dust Code (this proposed title and document number are still evolving). Within the next five years, the goal is to create a new, single standard resulting from the consolidation of fundamental standards with all the industry- and commodity-specific standards.

It’s a process already underway, being led by a special task group amongst the combustible dust committees. As proposed, Chapters 1-9 would be fundamental to all industries; Chapter 10 dedicated to special fire protection requirements and 11-16 endemic to industryspecific requirements (NFPA 664 specific to the wood industry).

At this time, the new standard is slated to be issued effective sometime during 2024.

Identifying, Understanding Explosion Risk When it comes to explosion risk and mitigation methods for critical process equipment in biomass facilities, knowing explosivity characteristics is critical to protection design in engineered controls. Explosivity parameters (dust cloud reactivity and concentration), ignition characteristics and minimum safe oxygen concentration are all key metrics to understand when planning protection efforts.

“There are three major types of explosion prevention measures, according to Rob Lade, chief technical officer for IEP Technologies. These are are containment, venting and suppression.

Containment involves isolating an entire facility to withstand an explosion. It’s effective at limiting a chain incident, but it’s largely not applicable with a large plant, according to Lade.

Venting consists of an engineered panel that’s programmed to open at a predetermined pressure, allowing the explosion to vent into a safe area. Venting does not extinguish flames, so a secondary flame suppression system also needs to be in place.

“It’s important to note that a vented explosion is a rather energetic process,” Lade says. “In an explosion venting occurrence, a fireball’s size on the exterior of the vessel

is approximately eight times the vessel volume—all of which must be vented to a safe area. NFPA 68 details very descriptive standards for venting sizing.”

Suppression utilizes an explosion detector connected to a control panel, which releases an extinguishing agent into the vessel to engulf the fire, mitigate the pressure and contain the explosion. Deflagration isolation methods are also required for all prevention measures, to minimize the spread of an event from one process vessel to the next.

Types of applications typical to the biomass industry include dust collection units, which are by far the most common mitigation solution, followed closely by cyclone and cyclone separators.

Transfer points create an elevated opportunity for an incident to occur, especially on conveyor systems, where internal and external clutter can occur. Plus, it’s challenging to determine where the ignition can take place. “In these situations, optical protection is very nice because you can map pressures as a function of time,” Lade adds. “With optical detection, you know where the flame position is when it’s detected, and that gives much more information about the flame location and the propagation points of that flame.”

&" * , ! ) "

!$" ş " !( ĺo b7b ;uvĺm;| 20 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2 2021

ƐŊѶƔƔŊƓŊ * , !

Understanding Fire Hazards Expansion of the wood pellet and biomass energy sector has driven the need for large-scale storage capacity, and therefore, the number of fire-related incidents. “Between 2000 and 2018, 65 incidents have been reported,” says Vahid Ebadat, CEO of Stonehouse Public Safety. “Of those, nine occurred in 2017 alone, indicating that the frequency of these incidents is on the rise.

Of these incidents, 59% involved fire, and more than a quarter of those incidents were confirmed to have been caused my selfheating as the ignition source.”

One of the largest incidents occurred in 2017, where a 500-ton pile of biomass fuels in Thailand caught fire, due to accumulated heat. When a material is bulked in mass volume, even a subtle ignition source can become a significant problem. Most often, these sources are associated with the inherent thermal instability of the material iself, overall bulk dimensions and heating processes. Once self-heating begins, the potential exists for a critical temperature to be reached, when the material smolders and temperatures continue to rise. “Without air, combustion cannot take place,” Ebadat says.

“However, the bulk continues to heat, producing gasses hazardous to inhalation. At this point, if air is introduced, the trapped gasses are extremely susceptible to explosion.”

Operations and processes prone to selfheating hazards include material drying and heating, inadvertent sun heating, mechanical milling and grinding, fugitive dust on a hot surface, and bulk storage. Because exothermic reactions take time, it’s entirely possible for a hopper or bunker to catch fire days, or even weeks, after being filled. Self-heating measurements and identification within a given facility are often best identified through heating a sample under controlled conditions to determine the point at which temperature begins to increase, independent of the external heat source. Once this metric is identified, mitigation plans can be implemented.

“Keeping material temperatures at a safe margin below the determined onset

temperature for self-heating is the best way to mitigate event risks,” Ebadat says. “Limiting storage time, facility and equipment design that avoids ledges, corners and dead zones, as well as limiting internal and external material deposits, are all steps that can be taken to avoid the rise of material temperatures.”

Like Ebadat, Timothy Heneks, director of engineering services at Dustcon Solutions Inc., recognizes the uptick in fire incidents within wood pellet manufacturing facilities. “According to DustSafetyScience. com, 108 major fires and explosions were reported within the wood industries between January 2019 and June 2020,” Heneks says. “Of those events, 16 percent directly involved biomass wood pellets.”

Surface layer fires involve material interaction with an abundance of air, occluding on conveyors, coolers, baghouses, milling areas and fugitive dust. On the other end of the spectrum, smoldering fires react in areas of low oxygen, and generally occur within a pile, such as in silos, storage heaps and domes. “Statistically speaking, silos and other storage areas represent 36 percent of fires and explosions taking place within wood pellet plants,” Heneks adds. “Dust collection is second on that list, followed closely by mechanical conveyors and then dryers.”

No Time like Now While the official deadline for conducting and documenting an official DHA has come and gone, if not in compliance, the time to move forward is now. And though NFPA 660 is still a handful of years away from inception, it, too, will provide a clearer path forward in the mitigation of fire and combustible dust, specifically as it pertains to the wood pellet industry.

Until then—and beyond—the responsibility must be taken up by each manufacturing facility to address this ongoing cycle head on.

Author: Luke LeRoy Pellet Mill Magazine Freelance Writer www.biomassmagazine.com/ pellet-mill-magazine

THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN PELLET MILL

LUBRICANTS

REDUCE YOUR GREASE COSTS!

877.303.3134 iblsales@dansons.com GDQVRQV FRP WWW.BIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM/PELLET 21

« Dust Control

IMAGE 1

IMAGE 2

Example 1: Engineered transfer points and modular load zones: covered storage and transfer of wood pellets.

IMAGE 4

IMAGE 3

Example 2: Slider beds can act as a heat source. Coupled with spillage and dust due to uneven wear and sliding friction, the risk of fire and explosion is elevated.

Controlling Combustible Dust and Spillage

O

ne of the primary issues at pellet mill facilities is controlling combustible dust and spillage. Personnel safety and regulatory compliance are also top of mind in the corporate safety culture. Increasingly, maintenance and operations personnel are making use of new tools and leading-edge technologies to ensure that their jobs can be performed efficiently and safely.

As a general statement, if maintenance is made easy to perform with minimal downtime, the corporate goals of maximum production can mesh perfectly with maintenance and operations goals to maximize reliability and minimize downtime.

BY GREG BIERIE Using a “toolbox” approach to total dust management and spillage control allows the pellet mill industry to address the problems at the source. This philosophy focuses on using safety by design in developing new technologies that are conceived by plant professionals, for use by plant professionals. If maintenance is easy to perform, it will get done. If problems are addressed at the source, the Band-Aid approach can be eliminated.

The problems and solutions that combine “safety by design” with robust products and systems to achieve compliance and improve performance include the following areas of focus:

age

• Lower risk, increase safety, prevent spill-

• Reduce cleanup and transfer cost, improve material flow • Regulatory compliance with agencies, NGOs and local community Project Examples The following few examples of recent projects that address above issues.

In Example 1, improvements were made to alleviate issues with transfer points and modular load zones at a wood pellet transfer and storage facility. As can be seen in Image 1 and Image 2, a dramatic difference was achieved. No additional dust con-

CONTRIBUTION: The claims and statements made in this article belong exclusively to the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pellet Mill Magazine or its advertisers. All questions pertaining to this article should be directed to the author(s).

22 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2 2021

nance, and maintenance made easy so that it can be performed by one person in the field. In addition, rolling components replace sliding components that produce friction and heat, along with special foot patterns and slide-out rollers to make service simple and sealing secure. Modular componentry eliminates the need for hot work in construction, and all internal components are externally serviceable by one person. Material flow is

IMAGE 5

Author: Greg Bierie Technology Specialist, Benetech Global bierieg@benetechusa.com www.benetechglobal.com

T +1 704 716 7022 T +49 2961 7405-0

© REMBE® | All rights reserved

trol measures were necessary to eliminate the problem in this enclosed conveyor system. By controlling material flow and minimizing entrained air along with soft loading and center loading of wood pellets onto the receiving belt, the dust and risks of fire or explosion were reduced well below the acceptable level. Leading edge technologies were utilized to cure the problem at the source.

For Example 2, Image 3 and Image 4 demonstrate, at this facility, sliding friction and poor sealing was increasing fire risk at load zone areas using impact beds. The mill workers saw and smelled smoke to indicate a dangerous situation in which combustible material had built up on adjacent structure.

The solution to this issue included many leading-edge technologies to cure the problems at the source. These included, but were not limited to, the MaxZone Plus—a system that acts as a modified load zone chute with an additional way to reduce dust and spillage at the load zone—and SureGuide Training Idlers, which are belt-centralizing return pulleys made of precision-turned components (see Image 5).

In conclusion, doing the same old thing will produce the same old results. New equipment should not be confused with new technology. The products and project results as shown above are due to adopting new technologies. The combination of these technologies solve the problems at the source. Safety by design aims to eliminate issues such as confined space entry required for service, ergonomics for and mainte-

controlled to minimize dust and spillage, and ensure proper belt loading.

Above all, regulatory compliance can be achieved, the corporate safety culture is enhanced, and the risk of fire or explosions from combustible dust is eliminated at the source.

PROTECT YOUR PLANT! Consulting. Engineering. Products. Service. · Over 45 years of innovation in comdust explosion protection. · Venting and isolation to protect personnel and plant. · Customized indoor/outdoor protection for dust collectors and more.

Inc. | Charlotte, NC 28217, USA | info@rembe.us | www.rembe.us 59929 Brilon, Germany | info@rembe.de | www.rembe.de WWW.BIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM/PELLET 23

« Spotlight: CV Technology

Fire and Explosion Prevention Technology Integrated solutions for prevention and mitigation safeguards

Combustible dust poses both fire and explosion hazards in wood pellet facilities. Prevention technologies are the first line of defense. Ignition source monitoring and removal is the basis for proper hazard prevention. Solutions include spark detection systems, bearing temperature monitors, combustion gas detection monitors, and quick suppression water mist systems.

Prevention solutions must consider the ignition source potential of the process equipment, and the ignition sensitivity of the dust being handled. Potential ignition sources can range from mechanical sparks to self-heating dust. Wood dust will have different ignition source potential throughout the wood pellet production process. Lower moisture content and smaller particles tend to increase ignition sensitivity. Green material on the front end of the drying process will have a higher moisture content and particle size. Milled wood dust will have the highest ignition source potential because it has been dried and reduced in particle size.

Different areas of the wood pellet process introduce different hazards as the dust properties are altered. A dust hazard analysis or DHA is the starting point to help evaluate the different hazards in the process.

Detection of hot particles is the key to minimizing loss of revenue and production downtime due to combustible dust incidents. Conven-

24 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2 2021

PHOTO: CV TECHNOLOGY

tional ultraviolet spark detection systems detect daylight, which dramatically increases the risk of false activations. True infrared detectors are insensitive to daylight and can detect lower energy ignition sources. CV Technology partnered with Firefly AB to integrate true infrared spark detectors with CV’s superior explosion mitigation solutions. The goal is to provide customers with complete explosion protection solutions that include prevention and mitigation safeguards.

Proper integration of prevention and mitigation systems is a technical challenge encountered in wood pellet process safety. Prevention systems are designed without considerations for the mitigation safeguards. CV Technology provides total solutions that include both prevention and mitigation systems. The company’s systems are designed to provide optimal safety against combustible dust with minimal effect on machinery or production.

« Spotlight: FLAMEX

A Unique, Effective Fire and Explosion Protection Solution In the wood pellet manufacturing industry, many production processes present fire and explosion hazards that must be addressed to ensure workplace safety, protection of assets and avoidance of downtime.

In particular, drying and hammermilling of wood material are quite conducive to the generation of sparks and fire within the pneumatic transport system. Other processes such as pelletizing, pellet cooling, screening and product load-out are also subject to possible ignition from sparks, overheated pellets and mechanical friction sources.

FLAMEX Inc. has considerable experience in protecting wood pellet manufacturing facilities of all production capacities and understands the specific process protection requirements that these applications demand. The company specializes in the protection of industrial facilities that handle combustible dusts, with capabilities including design, supply, repair and service of complete fire protection systems.

To combat the all-too-common problem of dust fires and explosions in woodworking industries, in 1977, FLAMEX pioneered the use of a new technology in North America: the FLAMEX Spark Detection and Extinguishing System. Soon, it became the first system of its kind to gain a Factory Mutual Approval. Since that time, thousands of FLAMEX systems have been installed in a variety of industrial facilities across North America, including many medium and large industrial wood pellet operations.

The FLAMEX system offers a number of unique advantages to its users, which includes enhanced reliability, increased effectiveness

and ease of maintenance. Automatic detector self-testing function, inline flow monitoring, field-removable IR filter lenses and a self-closing, stainless steel nozzle that emits a 180-degree curtain of water are a few of the features that provide practical benefits in the daily operation and maintenance of these systems. The wide range of detection and suppression offerings allow selection of the proper components for the application instead of a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Hot particle detectors are often used in downstream applications where the ignition of dust layers from heated pellets are a primary concern. Deluge valve assemblies can be supplied for automatic suppression in bins, collectors and silos, and may be activated by thermal, gas or optical detection.

Advanced remote system supervision capabilities include a web module for monitoring the status of the system via the internet and the INVERON HMI software, which can allow multiple systems to be networked, supervised and operated by one or multiple computers from a control room setting.

FLAMEX is proud to be a part of the MINIMAX-VIKING organization, a global leader in the development and supply of industrial fire protection technologies and products. The experience, technical expertise and wealth of resources possessed by MINIMAX GmbH & Co. KG, our ISO 9001 manufacturing partner, affords FLAMEX Inc. the ability to offer more comprehensive fire protection solutions to address the requirements of varied industrial applications.

3UHYHQW 'XVW &ROOHFWLRQ )LUHV ([SORVLRQV

6SDUN 'HWHFWLRQ 6XSSUHVVLRQ

$XWRPDWLF 'HOXJH 6\VWHPV +RW 3DUWLFOH 'HWHFWLRQ +LJK 6SHHG $ERUW *DWHV

ZZZ VSDUNGHWHFWLRQ FRP WWW.BIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM/PELLET 25

« Marketplace

International Biomass Conference & Expo Erin P.B. Zasada

John D. Schroeder

BBI Project Development

SPONSORED SPOTLIGHT Portable Trailer Tipper With over 70 years of experience, Airoflex Equipment is the leader in bulk material handling. Our portable trailer tipper is engineered with a rugged design and can tackle the most challenging applications. Designed for simple off-highway movement, it can easily be prepped for over-the-road transport.

Call us today for pricing and more details.

563-506-5085 sales@airoflex.com airoflex.com

Biomass Magazine’s Products & Services Spotlight Feature As a Spotlight Feature you will receive the following: • A custom story written in the Products and Services Spotlight feature article containing information about your company • The feature article mailed to 7,000 readers • Your company’s contact information sent to 61,000+ biomass email subscribers, promoting the products and services Contact us for pricing and more information: 866-746-8385 service@bbiinternational.com www.biomassmagazine.com

26 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 2 2021

International Biomass Conference & Expo

BBI Project Development

The 15th annual International Biomass Conference & Expo will take place March 14-16, 2022 at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville, FL. This dynamic event unites industry professionals from all sectors of the world’s interconnected biomass utilization industries— biobased power, thermal energy, fuels and chemicals.

BBI’s technical experts provide feasibility studies and project development for new biomass power facilities as well as pellet mill facilities. In many countries power generation through anaerobic digestion addresses waste management and power needs and its application continues to expand. BBI’s experts are able to perform engineering studies, perform technology assessments and evaluate the economic impacts of these projects.

866-746-8385 service@bbiinternational.com www.biomassconference.com

866-746-8385 service@bbiinternational.com

THANK YOU

March 16:17, 2021

VIRTUAL EVENT

SPONSORS, SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS, MEDIA PARTNERS & EXHIBITORS FOR

YO U R

PA RT I C I PAT I O N

ǀĞŶƚ ^ƉŽŶƐŽƌƐ

7+( 25,*,1$/ /,9( )/2256

®

tri

a l Pel let A

s c ia

U.S. I n

us

so

d

^ƵƉƉŽƌƟŶŐ KƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶƐ

t i on

w

r

g

w

w.

theusip

a.

o

DĞĚŝĂ WĂƌƚŶĞƌƐ

džŚŝďŝƚŽƌƐ AGRA Industries, Inc. Alabama Power Test Lab Amandus Kahl USA Corp.

Andritz Feed & Biofuel Babcock & Wilcox Bandit Industries, Inc. Benetech Biomass Magazine Bliss Industries, LLC Brightmark BRUKS SIWERTELL Clextral, Inc.

Crestmark CSE Bliss Manufacturing CV Technology, Inc. D3MAX, LLC DMT Clear Gas Solutions Geostock Sandia, LLC Hallam-ICS Hallco Industries, Inc. Hurst Boiler & Welding Co., Inc. IEP Technologies Interra Global Corporation Kalenborn Abresist

KEITH Manufacturing Co. KESCO, Inc. KraftPowercon Morbark, LLC RUF Briquetting Systems Schaeffer Manufacturing Company Shred-Tech Corporation SHW Storage & Handling Solutions Inc. Thomas & Muller Systems, Ltd. Warren & Baerg Manufacturing, Inc.

Advanced Biofuels & Biochemicals

Pellet Mill Operations

Biogas, Landfill Gas & RNG Biomass Power & Thermal

Purchase Your Booth at BiomassConference.com

MARCH 14-16, 2022

JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA

Densified Biomass Production

All Things Biomass

1 5 th A n n u a l

The biomass industry is changing fast, and the best way to capitalize on new opportunities and overcome new challenges is to get educated.

Leverage the AĊĴÐīĊ­ĴðďĊ­ă ðďĉ­ĮĮ ďĊåÐīÐĊÆÐ ɴ 'ŘĨďɂĮ community of producers, partners and industry experts during three days of learning, sharing and connecting to strum up your business.

>'t 't' ' qtZ# 'tw T''} PE PELLETS, DENSIFIED BIO OMASS, BIOMASS POWER, BIOMASS THE ERM RMAL, BIOGAS & RNG, WASTE-TO-ENERGY, Y, ADVANCED BIOFUELS, BIOBASED CHEMI MIC CALS 3URGXFHG %\

ȮA 'ǫǫ twitter.com/biomassmagazine - 866-746-8385 - service@bbiinternational.com