Challenge:
Acon Timber faced a complex challenge in establishing a state-of-the-art sawmill in a tropical region. Designed to process sawdust, wood shavings, and wood chips into pellets with an annual capacity of 132,000 tons, the facility had to contend with extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures and heavy rainfall.
Additionally, the fast-growing wood material required drying from 55% to 10% moisture content, demanding a robust system capable of handling high-moisture inputs. Utilizing saturated steam as a heat source further added to the system’s complexity, requiring precise engineering to ensure efficient and reliable operation.
Solution:
STELA partnered with Acon Timber to deliver a custom drying solution designed for the facility’s unique demands. Key features of the solution included:
- Dryer Type: A BT 1/6200 belt dryer measuring 143 feet (43.5 meters) in length, capable of handling high-moisture wood materials.
- Heat Source: Saturated steam at 356°F (180°C), distributed via a custom steam system engineered by STELA.
- Energy Optimization: Integration of advanced heat exchangers to cool condensate below 212°F (100°C), ensuring minimal energy waste.
- Collaborative Design: Close collaboration with an experienced engineering team tailored the system to the specific climatic and operational challenges of the site.
The drying system was designed for seamless integration with the facility’s energy and material flow systems, maximizing efficiency and operational reliability.
Result:
The STELA belt dryer enabled Acon Timber to achieve reliable and efficient performance despite adverse conditions:
- High Throughput: Processing up to 73,000 pounds (33 metric tons) of wet material per hour, reducing moisture from 55% to 10%.
- Energy Efficiency: A heat requirement of just under 58 MMBtu/hour (17 MW), showcasing excellent energy optimization.
- Operational Stability: Despite challenging installation conditions, including heavy rainfall and extreme heat, the system was commissioned on schedule and operates reliably.
- Product Quality: Consistently high-quality drying results ensure premium pellet production.
Mr. Günther Preiß, Technical Division Manager of Acon, expressed his satisfaction with the system, describing it as “a reliable drying system for a dependable raw material supplier.” He praised the collaboration throughout the project, noting that it exceeded expectations in all areas.
Conclusion:
The Acon Timber case study demonstrates how STELA’s innovative low-temperature drying technology can overcome even the most demanding environmental and operational challenges. Through innovative engineering and advanced energy optimization, Acon Timber has achieved exceptional drying efficiency and operational stability.
Looking ahead, operator training and ongoing maintenance will further enhance the system’s long-term performance. This successful partnership underscores STELA’s commitment to providing sustainable, cutting-edge solutions to the wood processing industry.
About Acon Timber
ACON TIMBER, an HS Timber Group company, is one of Argentina’s leading wood processing companies. Based in Virasoro, Corrientes, its state-of-the-art facility specializes in producing high-quality wood products for global customers. The company is known for its innovative processing of fast-growing, high-moisture wood materials using advanced technologies like low-temperature drying. ACON TIMBER prioritizes sustainability, sourcing wood exclusively from certified plantations and ensuring nearly waste-free utilization of raw materials.