HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-10-13, Page 3Lueknow Sentinel, Wednetirlay, October 13, 1993 Page 3
Port Albert co -generation plant nears completion
by Pat Livingston
A $500,01() project that has been
on the drawing hoards for the last
two years is approaching fruit um at
W.G. Thompson & Sons Limited,
Port Albert. When the switch is
thrown on the co -generation plant
this month, it will provide
electricity for the whole Port Albert
agri-business.
Frank Thompson, of W.G.
Thompson's construction and main-
tenance deparunent, said the com-
pany was approached a few years
ago by Northern Cross, a natural
gas company, to use their product
for drying corn and soybeans.
- Northern Cross, of Calgary, Alber-
ta, has natural gas wells in Ashfield
Township not far from W.G.
Thompson's location.
The idea for the co -generation
plan originated . with Northern
Cross, Mr. Thompson said. "It
seemed to be a good fit."
During the two years of planning
many companies and people have
been involved. In addition to the
gas company and W.G. Thompson
& Sons, Alco consulting engineers,
Atlas Polar and Ontario Hydro have
played an instrumental part in get-
ting the system installed .and on-
line. All sub -contractors were hired
locally.
The co -generation system consists
of an engine generating package
and two air handling packages. The
1.,000 hp, 750 kw Waukesha engine
package is in a self-contained 'unit,
located behind the south wall of the
warehouse.. The larger of the two
air handling units is outside ad-
jacent to the engine, while the
smaller , is located inside the
warehouse, just below roof line.
The 1800 rpm, 16 cyl. motor with
a 48 litre displacement, will move
3.5 million BTU/hour through the
large• air handler, and 450,000
H'I'ii/hour through the smaller one.
The excess heat from the co-
generation plant will he utilized in
two ways. Harry Vanden Brock,
branch manager, said there is a
section of the warehouse that,
during winter months, must be
heated to protect certain chemicals
from freezing. Heat is also needed
under the truck scales, during
colder weather to prevent ice build-
up.
Another future benefit from the
system may be in off-loading of
excess hydro to Ontario Hydro, if
the need is there, said Mr. Thompson.
Bruce Anderson, engineer and
production manager .with Atlas
Polar, said the co -generation system
is ideal for "any busincss that has a
constant heat load." The company is
the Eastern Canada dealer for
Waukesha engines out of Wiscon-
sin.. They currently have five
similar systems up and running at a
recreation facility; golf course,
greenhouse, Kitchener City Hall and
Canada Trust Centre in Kitchener.
The company started specializing
in the co -generation type units
approximately two years ago.
Realistically speaking, Mr. Ander-
son said installation time for these
units is around two months.
The 'system is • continually
monitored, via modem and com-
puters, by their office in Toronto.
Some manual logging will be re-
quired on-site.
Last week Ontario Hydro inspec-
tors were on the• site testing the
equipment and installation to ensure
it meets standards for safety and
that protection controls were
working properly. '
Mr. Thompson said, "This is
W.G. Thompson & Sons. first ven-
ture into co -generation. We are 'very
excited, about this project and .look
forward to seeing the results."
A view of the 1,000 hp, 750 kw Waukesha engine.
The larger air handling unit will move 3.5 million BTU/hr.
Testing continued on the co -generation plant at W.G. Thompson & Sons Limited, Port Albert, last
week. When up and running the plant will provide all of the electricity for the company. The unit
on the right Is the engine generating package. To the rear Is the larger air handling unit. The
smaller one Is Inside the warehouse. (Sentinel staff photos)
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