CASE STUDY: LARGE-SCALE BIOMASS STEAM AND ELECTRICAL AIR HEATING SYSTEM IN SCANDINAVIA

Case study · Scandinavia

Biomass steam & electric air heating

A complete air intake and heating solution for a large spray drying process — combining renewable biomass steam, recovered heat and electrical backup.

Designed, engineered and delivered by Anytherm. All three systems are now in regular operation.

338,000 kg/h

Total process air capacity

87,000 kg

Total equipment weight

30 barg

Biomass steam pressure

5 MW

Additional electrical heating

01 · The challenge

High capacity. Demanding conditions.

A major corporation headquartered in Scandinavia was seeking a high-capacity and sustainable air handling solution for a large spray drying process. The system had to heat process air from temperatures as low as -20°C to up to +260°C, while handling steam pressures of approximately 30 barg.

At the same time, the customer wanted to maximize the use of renewable energy sources available on site and achieve a highly energy-efficient overall system.

The customer first approached Anytherm AG in late 2022. Following the initial engineering and quotation phase, Anytherm was selected to develop and supply the complete air intake and air heating solution.

Project at a glance

Application
Industrial spray drying

Location
Scandinavia

Process air temperature
From −20°C to +260°C

Anytherm scope
Engineering, equipment supply, transport and on-site supervision

02 · The solution

One integrated air handling and heating solution

Anytherm designed, engineered and delivered three large air intake units and three main air heater units, with individual system weights of approximately 20,000, 27,000 and 40,000 kg and process air mass flows of 76,000, 102,000 and 160,000 kg/h.

01

Air intake & filtration

The air intake units include winter coils, G4 and F7 filter stages and noise attenuators, followed by large process air fans.

02

Biomass steam & recovered heat

The main air heaters combine hot-water preheating with steam, flash-steam and condensate heat recovery.

A key element of the concept is the use of steam generated from renewable biomass. In addition, wastewater at approximately 70°C that had previously been discharged unused is now utilized for process air preheating, further increasing the overall energy efficiency of the system.

03

Electrical backup & peak load

Large electrical heating stages with complete thyristor control systems provide backup and cover peak demand.

The electrical heating stages provide up to 5 MW of additional heating capacity.

Engineering through commissioning

Beyond equipment supply, Anytherm provided comprehensive engineering services, including FE analysis for snow and wind loads, transport to the customer’s site and on-site supervision during installation and commissioning.

03 · The result

Commissioned.
In regular operation.

All three systems were successfully commissioned and are now in regular operation.

The complete installation handles up to 338,000 kg/h of process air and meets the specified design parameters while making extensive use of renewable biomass energy and previously unused waste heat.

The customer particularly highlighted the robust technical solution, close cooperation throughout the engineering phase, transparent project reporting and Anytherm’s support during commissioning.

Customer perspective

“The equipment works very well and meets all design parameters.”

Lead Project Manager
Major corporation headquartered in Scandinavia
Read the full customer testimonial

“We first contacted Anytherm AG in the late fall of 2022. Anytherm made a very good impression during the offer stage, and we were confident that they would deliver the project successfully. After the contract was placed, the good cooperation continued, and Anytherm worked very well with our team throughout the design phase until the delivery of the equipment, resulting in a very robust solution. Throughout the project, Anytherm AG provided excellent status reporting and always gave prompt responses to questions regarding the engineering aspects of our project. Anytherm AG also attended the commissioning of our project, providing their professional and excellent expertise in the field. All three commissioning phases have been successfully completed, and the system is now in regular operation. The equipment works very well and meets all design parameters.”

Statement from the Lead Project Manager of our customer, a major corporation headquartered in Scandinavia.

From design to operation

See the project take shape

From CAD design to the installed system

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More Information

Video showing the transition from CAD design to the completed installation on site.

Installation & commissioning

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