PROBLEM
Existing wood fired boiler is unreliable. It experiences excessive down time (must operate standby gas fired boiler repeatedly), resulting in: high fossil fuel operating expenses, continual maintenance issues, employee morale problems (must come in often on weekends and evenings). In addition, dry kiln operator has trouble achieving necessary steam to meet demand. Present system does not respond well to lumber kiln energy requirements.

SOLUTION
Purchase a new wood fired boiler system designed to accommodate hard maple drying requirements and provide plant heat for employee comfort. High emphasis on dependability and low maintenance.

ACTION

1. Company ordered a new AFS Energy Systems wood fired boiler specified and sold by The A.L. Andersen Companies, Inc. Turn-key system included computerized controls and automatic boiler tube cleaning.
2. Minimal operator attendance will be required

RESULTS

1. This business is successful! The natural gas bill for the month of February 09 was “zero.”
2. Complete package automatically takes control of the fuel at the storage silo, and produces high pressure steam to the kilns for lumber drying, as well as, steam for plant heat in the winter months. Operator attendance is occasional with minimal attention to ash disposal required.
3. High efficiency design consumes minimum quantities of wood fuel allowing for continued sale of residues to outside users, with opportunities to expand markets.
4. Customer comments: “We had some fresh snow on the ground last week and I looked around and found no signs of soot or ash showing up.  The plume is very clean and I have not seen any black smoke at all.  The fuel consumption appears to be down as well.  If we make it to the end of this week we will have gone the entire month without any natural gas consumption at all.”

THE A. L. ANDERSEN COMPANIES, INC.
P.O. Box 26, Waunaukee, WI 53597
608-849-7400     Fax 608-849-8142
ala@alandersencompanies.com