Bruks supplies black pellet conversion

BRUKS supplied the full package of proprietary technology and
equipment to a Selma, Alabama white pellet plant. The plant, which was
previously closed and dismantled, has been restored to manufacture
revolutionary black pellets for export.

The plant’s new owner engaged
BRUKS to utilize a majority of the existing white pellet equipment,
redesigning and reconfiguring it to produce innovative black pellets.
Black pellets are desirable due to physical properties that are more
similar to coal than traditional white pellets.

BRUKS provided layout and process engineering for the project, as
well as extensive site consultation during erection and start up. To
reconfigure the plant, BRUKS first renovated the wood receiving and chip
storage yard. Two existing truck dumpers were utilized in the new wood
yard, an additional third new BRUKS truck dumper was added to complete
the renovation. The three dumpers discharge onto a common belt that
transfers wood chips through a series of new conventional belt conveyors
to a radial stacker, where a semi-circular pile is built. The piled
chips are then manually loaded onto a BRUKS stoker reclaim deck by
existing wheeled loaders.

The green chips are reclaimed and passed through a rotary screening
stage (using an existing screen), then a green grind station, featuring
four BRUKS shredders, reduce the chips to a uniform, small size before
entering the dryers. The green shredders include a chip cleaning
function to remove stones and metal prior to grinding. Air collection is
used to control dust. The ground and cleaned chips then pass through
dryers and into the balance of the plant.

Equipment erection and installation was provided by a contractor
selected and hired by the plant’s owner. Both the North American and
German BRUKS offices were involved in the project. Full plant operation
is expected by the end of 2014.