| Title: | Biomass Boiler Project, WY - Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp |
| Type: |
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| State: | Wyoming |
| Program Description: | Wyoming - Wood Fired Boiler Demonstration Project
Background In 2009, Wyoming State Forestry Division (WSFD) received a grant from Western Governors’ Association to create a demonstration project to use cellulosic biomass to heat a public building. The Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp (WHCC) was chosen as the site for the wood boiler demonstration project. The Camp is a minimum security facility operated by the WY Department of Corrections (DOC). WSFD staff, in conjunction with DOC “employees” (inmates), perform forestry and community service projects. Inmates are supervised by WSFD employees for these daily projects which include the labor to collect non-merchantable woody biomass from State owned forest land to be utilized in the wood boiler. The boiler heats the 7,500 square foot Forestry Building and the 3,000 square foot Department of Corrections building, and also heats domestic hot water. The biomass replaces propane as the source of fuel for these two buildings. Anticipated Savings The wood used in the boiler would have been piled and burned, causing air pollution, if it were not used as fuel. The first month of usage of the wood boiler showed a reduction of propane use from 212 cu ft in October, 2008 to 1 cu ft in October, 2009. This represented a savings of $1,068.00 at the 2008 price for propane, however with reduced fuel charges in 2009, the savings was actually about $720. for the month. It is projected that the total annual savings will be about $17,000 at 2008 propane prices. Lessons Learned The WSFD reports some problems with the new system. The wood supply was not as dry as desired, causing the fire to go out often. This resulted in greater than expected creosote buildup. This was corrected by changing the wood supply and having the boiler checked and filled late at night. Also, the return water temperature was lower than recommended by the manufaturer. Adjustments were made to the amount of space heated with the biomass boiler to help maintain the return water temperature. Some additional adjustments may still need to be made to get the system operating optimally. Budget Total cost of the project was $37,604.00. This includes the boiler for $12,755.00, thermopex insulated pipe $3,451.00, Fittings, valves and pumps $9,371.00, labor $12,027.00 and permits $286.00. Contact Information For more information, contact Dan Perko, Deputy State Forester WY State Forestry Division Office 307-777-5659 Fax 307-777-5986 dperko@state.wy.us |
The Woody Biomass Utilization Database is a project of the Western Governors' Association
designed to increase awareness of the use of biomass resources for economic development and
environmental sustainability. Program objectives highlighted include biomass energy and
heating activities, education programs, and projects and technologies involving biomass
residue resulting from forest health treatments to reduce wildfire hazard risk.