Wood-Derived, Low-BTU Gas as a Substitute Fuel at Red River Army Depot

This study investigated the feasibility of using wood-derived low-Btu gas as a substitute fuel at Red River Army Depot (RRAD). The investigation reviewed the state of the art of wood gasification, selected, selected candidate boiler plants at RRAD, and evaluated four gasified alternatives. The investigation revealed that the state of the art of wood gasification is still relatively undeveloped, and though air gasifiers are commercially available, further demonstration is necessary to determine reliability. An analysis of the four alternatives revealed that alternative IIIB is the most cost-effective gasifier alternative. Alternative IIIB suggests close coupling a gasifier system to boiler plant 1142 and producing a low-Btu gas derived from available dry wood waste. Currently, boiler plant 1142 operates 24 hr/day, 365 days/year, and can produce 31,000 lb of steam/hr (31.7 x 1,000,000 J/hr) for process and heating load. This system requires an FY80 capital investment of $946,000, has a 25-year present value (PV) annual savings of $2.35 million, and will replace 67 million cu ft (1.9 x 1,000,000 cu m) of natural gas/year. The savings/investment ratio (SIR) of this alternative is 2.48, and has a simple payback of 6.3 years. (Author).