Finland-headed forest industry major UPM has announced the commissioning of a new biomass boiler plant at the UPM Joensuu Plywood Mill in Joensuu, Finland. The new boiler replaces the existing combined heat and power (CHP) plant which was built in 1962. The modern biomass plant not only improves the mill's energy efficiency but also environmental performance, occupational- and fire safety.
The boiler uses residual biomass fuel – by-products of plywood production, such as bark and woodchips – thus, no additional biomass is sourced to generate thermal energy. The modern grate combustion technology is more efficient than the technology of the old power plant, which means lower fuel consumption per heat output and thus lower emissions.
In order to minimize the environmental impact, the flue gases from combustion pass through the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and flue gas scrubber after heat recovery. The noise level of the new biomass heat plant is also lower than that of the old power plant.
According to UPM, the new facility will also improve the efficiency of the veneer drying line at the plywood mill. Thermal energy plays an important role in the multi-stage plywood production process. It is needed not only for veneer drying but also for hot pressing of plywood boards and for heating the log soaking pond. The biomass heat plant at UPM Joensuu Plywood Mill also supplies heat for the neighboring food industry.
