Drax buys Airglide Conveyors to transport biomass

Robson has secured an GBP11m order to supply biomass handling equipment to Drax Power Station.

Drax is investing GBP2bn in renewable fuel at three power stations.

The first of these will be at Drax in Selby, where Robson will supply fifteen biomass Airglide Conveyors, which utilise a cushion of air rather than rollers to transport the conveyor belt.

This method reduces the friction between the belt and the bed of the conveyor, reducing power consumption and minimising maintenance.

Each of the Airglide Conveyors is one metre wide with the longest being 120M long.

Robson will build gantries and towers to house the conveyors and will also supply conventional belt conveyors and screw conveyors.

Robson initially produced the Airglide Conveyors for the sugar industry: there are similarities with biomass and sugar, for example the dust created during processing is explosive so the conveyor has to be stringently assessed to ensure any dust created cannot ignite.

Each conveyor has fully enclosed covers to protect the biomass from the elements and to keep any dust produced contained and safe within the enclosure.

An advantage of the sealed enclosures is that the 120M long 60M high gantries can have open rather than walled sides.

This saves resources and extra transport, helping to minimise the power plant's carbon footprint.

Biomass is derived from waste wood, grain husks, nut shells, forestry waste and other natural materials.

Robson will supply metal detectors and sampling equipment to ensure the biomass is free from tramp metal, contaminants or foreign objects that may damage the furnace.

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