The new biomass gasification plant (pictured at center) at Oak Ridge National Laboratories in Oak Ridge, Tenn., converts wood to syngas, which the plant uses to make steam. It replaces four fossil fuel boilers, thereby generating significant energy cost savings and reducing greenhouse gases by a projected 20,000 tons a year.
Biomass plant installation demonstrates our commitment to employee and customer safety
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), located in Tennessee, is the department’s largest science and energy research facility – and one of the oldest. Consequently, improving energy efficiencies at the lab is a high priority. DOE hired Johnson Controls Building Efficiency to install a biomass plant to produce steam from renewable wood resources. The project included replacing four aging fuel-fired boilers with one energy efficient boiler. The projected result: Electricity, natural gas, water and operational savings of more than $260 million over the next 25 years.
The project presented significant safety challenges.
- Oak Ridge was part of the Manhattan Project that produced materials for the first U.S. nuclear weapon in the early 1940s – hence the presence of asbestos, lead paint, mercury and potentially radioactive contaminated materials which had to be disposed of safely.
- Four 4-story-high boilers had to be completely dismantled.
- Water conservation measures, building management systems, lighting, and other systems had to be installed at more than 100 buildings, each with different missions, equipment and safety hazards.
- Lab operations could not be interrupted.
To do everything safely, Johnson Controls conducted planning sessions with DOE facility managers and safety specialists. The team specified safety procedures to be followed, ensured that all employees, sub-contractors and customer personnel were informed of those procedures, and implemented the safety measures while upgrading facilities and equipment.
Results
The project proceeded without a recordable safety incident for nearly 800 days, and without a lost time injury for nearly 1,100 days. The ORNL continued operations without interruption. The biomass plant is already saving energy and money.
“We care deeply about the health and safety of our employees and our customers’ employees,” said project manager Steve Page. “Customers can count on us to put safety first and get their job done right.”
Change Country
Canada - English
México - Español
Argentina - Spanish
Brasil - Português
Australia - English
Belgïe - Nederlands
Česká republika - Čeština
Danmark - Dansk
Deutschland - Deutsch
España - Español
France - Français
Hrvatska - Hrvatski
Ireland - English
Italia - Italiano
Magyarország - Magyarul
Македонија - Македонски
Nederland - Nederlands
Norge - Norsk
South Africa - English
Österreich - Deutsch
Россия - Русский
Polska - Polski
Portugal - Português
Română - Română
Schweiz - Deutsch
Slovensko - Slovenčina
Suomi - Suomeksi
Sverige - Svenska
United Kingdom - English
Україна - Український
中国 - 简体中文
India - English
日本 - 日本語
한국 - 한국어
Singapore - English
Bahrain-English
Egypt - English
Jordan - English
Kuwait - English
Oman - English
Qatar - English
Saudi Arabia - English
Türkiye - Türkçe
UAE - English
