Menznau Switzerland

Different fuels. High demands on the energy supply.

A Swiss wood-based panel manufacturer was looking for a way to use its wood residues efficiently for its own energy supply. At the same time, the new plant had to be flexible enough to accommodate future requirements and a possible expansion of energy generation.

The production of MDF and particleboard generates large quantities of wood residues. Instead of remaining unused, they were to be used reliably for process energy and for heating the drying plants.

The available residues differ in composition, particle size and calorific value. At the same time, the production process requires a stable and reliable heat supply. What was needed, therefore, was a solution that responds flexibly to different fuels and leaves enough room for future developments.

A firing system that adapts to the fuel.

For the Menznau site, Kablitz developed a flexible firing system for the use of production residues. A solid-fuel hot gas generator with a reciprocating grate forms the heart of the plant.

The system was specifically matched to the available residues and their different fuel qualities. The hot gas generator is complemented by a thermal oil heater that reliably supplies the required process heat.

The concept was not designed for today's demand alone: additional heating surfaces were already provided for to allow a later expansion of the energy supply.

Everything from a single source

From the firing system to usable process energy.

Kablitz took on the engineering and implementation of the key components of the energy supply and matched them to the requirements of the production site. The scope of supply and services included:

• Solid-fuel firing with reciprocating grate
• Hot gas generator
• Thermal oil heater
• Dust burner
• Granulate nozzles
• Fuel supply
• Integration into the existing energy supply
• Installation and commissioning

Production residues become valuable energy.

With the new plant, the wood residues from the production process can be used reliably for energy. Materials that used to be mere residues have become an important part of the site's energy supply.

• Flexible fuel useDifferent production residues can be used to generate energy.
• Reliable process heatThe plant reliably supplies the heat required for production and drying.
• Planned for the futureThe plant concept already allows for a future expansion of the energy supply.
• Energy from the company's own cycleWood residues are not simply disposed of but used directly to generate process energy.