First American Scientific Corp. (fka FASC)

[mrthedoc]

Article from Malaysia. Not sure if it's already been posted.

http://www.etawau.com/OilPalm/EFB.htm

In Sabah, large quantities of palm waste called Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) are available from plantations where palm oil is produced. In its raw state, EFB is both very fibrous and wet. If it could be dried, it would be an excellent fuel for power boilers. FASC Malaysia has installed a KDS machine in the 14 MWe TSH Biomass Power Plant in Kunak, Malaysia, for the purpose of drying EFB. Called the KDS MF-777, it dries and shreds EFB so that it can be burned as a fuel. At present, only one-sixth of the fuel input needed by the TSH power plant is supplied by the KDS MF-777. The KDS MF-777 processes 3750 kg/hr of raw EFB having a moisture content of 52 % and produces 3000 kg/hr of shredded EFB which has a moisture content of 40 % - this is dry enough for burning on a grate. The power consumption of the MF-777 is only 200 kW, under these operating conditions. This translates to a drying energy consumption of only 960 kJ per kg of water removal (= 414 BTU/lb) or only 44 % of the latent heat of water! No other dryer technology can match the low energy consumption of the KDS MF-777. It is well-known among power plant engineers that every percentage point of moisture in the fuel causes 0.5-1 % reduction in the electricity produced. Thus, the estimated maximum possible increase in the TSH power plant output because of drying the fuel in the KDS MF-777 is 0.84-1.68 MWe. Thus, a net overall increase in the total power generated becomes possible due to the KDS MF-777. Therefore, the cost of the KDS equipment can be recouped from the extra revenue from the increased electricity production.