Heyl & Patterson to Supply Torrefaction Calciner to University of Minnesota Duluth
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Pittsburgh, PA – Heyl Patterson Inc., a world leader in thermal processing and bulk material handling systems, today announced the sale of an indirect-fired rotary calciner to the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI). The unit will be installed at NRRI’s Coleraine, MN facility and will be used to transform wood biomass into torrefied wood, or “biocoal.”
This biocoal will have an energy content of over 10,000 BTUs per pound and have other properties similar to those of coal. This energy-dense end product can be used as a replacement for coal, or co-fired with coal in electric power plants. The transaction was arranged by Torrefy Corporation, Heyl & Patterson’s exclusive worldwide sales agent for biomass torrefaction systems. The calciner sold to NRRI will produce approximately 28,800 pounds of biocoal per day.
NRRI will deploy the Heyl & Patterson torrefaction unit, M-E-C Company drying technology and other components as the key parts of an integrated system of technologies, to facilitate the efficient generation of carbon-neutral electricity on a distributed basis. This project will focus on the cost and thermal effectiveness of the value-added conversion of wood biomass into biocoal.
The biocoal produced at the Coleraine facility will be used to support the University’s research on modern steam-based electricity generation and the categorization of viable fuel options from various biomass sources, including biomass wastes, crop residues and various forest resources. All of this is done with the goal of addressing the specific needs and challenges facing Minnesota’s residents, forestry industry, electric power generators and business community.
Heyl & Patterson, Torrefy Corporation and M-E-C Company are working with the Coalition for Sustainable Rail, UMD’s Natural Resource Research Institute and other groups to make this project possible.
About Heyl & Patterson Inc.
Founded in 1887 in Pittsburgh, PA, Heyl & Patterson Inc. provides high quality, custom engineered solutions for thermal processing and bulk material handling applications around the globe. Thermal processing products and services include some of the largest high-efficiency Dryers and Coolers in the world, as well as Calciners, Bulk Material Processors and Pilot Plant Laboratory Testing Systems. Heyl & Patterson is the innovator the Rotary Railcar Dumper and offers a wide range of bulk material handling equipment, including Railcar & Barge Movers and Barge Unloaders. For more information, contact David Phillips at 412-788-9810 or dphillips@heylpatterson.com.
About Torrefy Corporation
Torrefy Corporation was established in February 2012 for the sole purpose of representing Heyl & Patterson’s Torrefaction Units to an alternative fuels market eager to have access to proven torrefaction technology. The company’s managers and affiliates combine many decades of experience in the forest products, biomass, and alternative energy fields. Presently, the company is involved in the expansion of its sales representation team and intends to license its exclusive, worldwide rights to qualified allies in key foreign markets. For more information, contact Seton Amick at 904-629-3171 or samick@torrefycorporation.com.
About University of Minnesota Duluth’s Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI)
Since 1985, NRRI’s mission has been to foster the economic development of Minnesota’s natural resources in an environmentally sound manner to promote private sector employment.
David Phillips
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Heyl & Patterson Inc.
P.O. Box 36
Pittsburgh, PA 15230
412-809-7170
www.heylpatterson.com
CONTACT:
David Phillips
Heyl & Patterson Inc.
412-788-9810
dphillips@heylpatterson.com
