B&W for Biomass

Proven technologies to 

utilize biomass as a 

renewable energy source 
Renewable energy is becoming 

a necessary and beneficial 

component of a power producer’s 

overall mix of energy sources.

While various levels of the United States 

government continue to enact renewable 

portfolio standards and implement renewable 

energy certificates, it is advantageous to look 

at the various options available as renewable 

energy sources.

One of those sources is biomass. Babcock & Wilcox 

Power Generation Group, Inc. (B&W PGG) has 

been a trusted supplier of biomass combustion 

equipment for many years. Our extensive list 

of commercially demonstrated and industryaccepted products have stood the test of time 

in providing reliable steam generation for both 

process and electric power applications. While 

offering a highly available and readily dispatchable 

renewable energy source, the combustion of 

biomass also provides environmental benefits 

such as reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides 

(NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and mercury, when 

compared with other fossil fuels. Biomass is also 

a carbon dioxide (CO2)-neutral renewable 

energy source.

Stoker fired

Bubbling fluidized bed

Circulating fluidized bed
A wide variety of solutions for biomass 

B&W PGG has demonstrated 

experience with a wide 

range of fuels and technologies for burning biomass to 

produce steam for both 

utility and industrial 

customers. These include:

■ Bubbling fluidized-bed 

(BFB) boilers

■ Circulating fluidized-bed 

(CFB) boilers

■ Stoker-fired boilers

■ Black liquor recovery 

boilers (process recovery)

B&W PGG, including its joint 

ventures and licensees, has 

installed numerous units 

using fluidized-bed technology. Additionally, our 

experience with traditional 

stoker-fired, pulverized coalfired and recovery boilers is 

unmatched in the industry.

Regardless of the combustion technology, or whether 

steam is needed to produce 

electricity or for combined 

heat and power applications, 

we have the expertise and 

proven experience to costeffectively utilize biomass as 

a renewable energy source.

Bubbling fluidized bed 

B&W PGG’s BFB technology has been successfully 

applied to a wide range of 

wood, wood waste, sludges 

and residues. Design 

features include an open 

bottom design which is 

particularly well suited for 

biomass fuel applications 

that contain non-combustible debris. The boilers can be 

designed as either bottom 

or top supported depending on the desired size and 

capacity. Designed with the 

capability to tightly control 

bed temperature, a BFB 

offers greater combustion 

efficiency and reduced 

emissions.

Our ability to successfully

retrofit fossil fuel-fired 

power boilers and convert existing black liquor 

recovery boilers to fire 

solid fuel biomass using 

BFB technology has been 

repeatedly demonstrated. 

In short, B&W PGG’s commercial experience with a 

wide range of unit sizes and 

fuels makes the BFB boiler 

a viable option in many 

situations for efficient and 

dependable steam generation from biomass.

Circulating fluidized bed

B&W PGG’s internal recirculation circulating fluidizedbed (IR-CFB) boiler offers 

economy, reliability and 

flexibility. One of the main 

advantages of our CFB 

technology is that it provides 

the owner flexibility in 

specifying a variety of fuels. 

It is particularly attractive 

when wanting to fire coal 

with a biomass fuel. Its 

compact arrangement makes 

it ideal for both repowering and new installations. 

A unique U-beam particle 

separator reduces the 

refractory required and 

operates at low flue gas 

velocities which result in 

B&W PGG’s commercially demonstrated and industry-accepted biomass-fired 

boilers have provided reliable steam generation for both process and electric 

power applications for many years.

▲

The modular design of B&W PGG’s Towerpak® boiler 

minimizes construction time and costs. 

▲

BFB features and benefits:

■ fuel flexibility – wood, bark, tires, 

sludges, residues

■ open bottom bed for effective debris 

removal

■ low emissions

■ suitable for new or retrofit applications

■ low maintenance and high availability

■ modular or bottom supported designs 

reduce cost
 combustion

significantly lower maintenance than competitors’ 

units. Additional benefits 

include operating flexibility 

and low emissions.

Stokers

In addition to fluidized beds, 

water-cooled vibrating grate 

stoker-fired units may prove 

to be the technology of 

choice in certain applications, 

particularly for wood, 

agricultural crops and 

residues. B&W pgg leads the 

way with proven products 

such as the Stirling® power 

boiler and Towerpak® boiler. 

These units are custom 

designed to meet specific 

steam and fuel conditions, 

but the design is done 

within a framework of preengineered components to 

minimize engineering costs 

and delivery time.

CFB features and benefits:

■ ideal for firing with coal, biomass, or a 

combination of both

■ low maintenance

■ high availability

■ compact size and arrangement is ideal 

for repowering projects

■ low emissions

Shop modularization of the BFB bottom hoppers and bubble cap air distribution 

system minimizes on-site construction time and costs.

▲

• Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction 

 or 

Selective Catalytic Reduction

• Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction

 or 

Selective Catalytic Reduction 

• Wet Flue Gas Desulfurization

• Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction 

• Dry Flue Gas Desulfurization

(in certain applications)

• Wood/Wood Waste

 or

• Wood/Wood Waste,

Sludge, Tires

BFB

Stoker

CFB

• Wood/Wood Waste

• Straw

• Stover

• Animal Waste

• Coal

• Coal

 or

• Coal and Wood/Wood 

Waste, Petroleum Coke, 

Tires

Fuel Technology Matrix

Fuel Boiler Environmental Equipment
B&W PGG’s BFB technology has been 

successfully applied to a wide range of 

biomass fuels. Either our CFB or stoker 

technology is recommended when 

wanting to fire coal with a biomass fuel.

New or retrofit

Depending on the application, it may 

be advantageous to consider installing 

new steam generating equipment or 

retrofitting existing equipment with 

modern combustion technology. B&W 

combines the engineering know-how 

and practical experience needed 

to completely analyze the available 

options and recommend the most 

cost-effective course of action.

Emissions control 

equipment

Today’s environmental regulations 

mean a supplier should not only have 

the capability to provide the steam 

generating equipment, but also the 

environmental equipment necessary to 

meet mandated air quality standards. 

Core competencies include:

■ Engineering

■ Project management

■ Construction

■ Startup and commissioning

■ Training programs

■ Field engineering services

■ Replacement parts

■ Condition assessment

■ Engineered improvements

From engineering, manufacturing and 

construction, to startup and field 

service, B&W PGG knows how to make 

it all work together for maximum 

operating efficiency and dependability. 

B&W PGG’s line of environmental products includes technologies for NOx, SO2

and particulates:

■ Selective catalytic reduction 

(SCR) systems

■ Electrostatic precipitators (ESP)

■ Fabric filter baghouses

■ Flue gas desulfurization 

(FGD) systems

B&W PGG puts it 

all together

When you work with B&W PGG, 

you’ll get the complete package. As a 

single-source supplier, our capabilities 

extend well beyond steam generating 

equipment supply. 
As utilities and industrial firms alike consider 

future strategies to utilize renewable energy, 

B&W PGG can provide viable options for the 

combustion of biomass fuels. We have 

commercially demonstrated technologies 

and experience with firing a wide variety of 

biomass fuels. Contact us today to learn how 

biomass can be a part of your power and 

steam generation portfolio.

Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc. is a 

subsidiary of The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W). 

Established in 1867, B&W is a world leader in providing 

steam generating and emissions control equipment, 

nuclear operations and components, and defense 

program management services.

For more information, or a complete listing of our sales 

and service offices, call 1-800-BABCOCK (222-2625), 

send an e-mail to info@babcock.com, or access 

our Web site.

www.babcock.com

Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.

20 S. Van Buren Avenue

Barberton, Ohio 44203 USA

Phone: 330.753.4511

Fax: 330.860.1886

The information contained herein is provided for general information 

purposes only and is not intended nor to be construed as a warranty, an 

offer, or any representation of contractual or other legal responsibility.

Stirling and Towerpak are registered trademarks of Babcock & Wilcox 

Power Generation Group, Inc.

© 2008 Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.

All rights reserved.

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