CASE STUDIES

NORTH COUNTY HOSPITAL BIOMASS CONVERSION AND COGENERATION PROJECT

	Chiptec C-Series Gasifier (click on photo to enlarge)

In 2002, the Vermont Community Development Program funded a feasibility study to evaluate the best options for implementing a renewable energy system to meet the heat and power needs of the North Country Hospital in Vermont. The study recommended that two gasifiers be installed with two 200 horsepower, 150 psi Hurst boilers (one is already in place) and two 150 kW steam turbines. The Chiptec system would gasify readily available wood chips to produce heat and power.

This Congressionally-mandated project is funding the purchase and installation of a Chiptec C-14 gasifier, one 500 hp, 300 psi Hurst boiler, and one 265 kW steam turbine to the hospital’s existing heat and power generation systems. The estimated cost savings of the renewable system over a conventional heat and power generating system is $248,000 per year at a chip purchase price of $9 per ton.

R&D Pathway

The principle investigator will purchase and install a Chiptec C-14 gasifier, one 500 hp, 300 psi Hurst boiler, and one 265 kW steam turbines. Also included in the project are an addition to the existing boiler room and a concrete bunker to accept the wood chip inventory.

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