Biomass energy firm Talbotts is set to launch what it claims will be one of the most efficient wood-fuelled biomass generators on the market at the W10 Working with Wood exhibition (3—6 October at the NEC).
Staffordshire-based Talbotts developed its new plant with the bio-energy team at nearby Harper Adams University College.
Its BG25 CHP (combined heat and power) incorporates commercial automotive engine technology to ensure continuous operation on a self-sustaining generating cycle.
Says Talbotts' managing director, Paul Firth: "Our new turbocharged BG25 CHP generator uses readily-available waste biomass, in the form of wood chips or pellets, to generate consistent level of power, making it ideal for organisations in the wood working industry."
The plant works by burning waste wood in a combustor that generates hot air through a mile and a half of piping – packed into a compact heat exchanger – the hot air from which then powers a turbocharger, more usually found on Scania trucks.
While much of this heat energy is cycled back through the compressor to charge fresh incoming air and drive the turbocharger, excess energy is captured by a second turbocharger that drives two alternators via a bespoke gearbox.
This self-contained system generates 25kW, achieves "unprecedented levels of overall efficiency" and promises savings of 212 tonnes of CO2 pa.
"The size of the CHP installation can power a hotel, large house, farm or modest industrial complex, but we are aiming to build units with significantly greater output, based on this technology," says Firth. "Nevertheless, we anticipate the market interest at this level will keep us pretty busy for the time being."
