Alternative Fuel Production Facilities

Overview

Our experience with alternative energy and fuel systems dates back more than 20 years. We have worked to develop advanced clean coal technologies and have provided analytical services and program support for major government clients and transportation agencies. We have assessed mandated alternative fuel fleet programs and integration opportunities for zero emission vehicles. Our services and expertise includes research and development, feasibility studies, resource assessments, project siting, market studies, project design, build, implementation, and performance monitoring.

SAIC is also working to develop new energy technologies such as clean coal and gas-to-liquids. We are evaluating the commercial efficacy of technologies, including seeking ways to deploy them in cost-effective and environmentally conscious ways.

Success Stories

• DesignBuild Services for 45 Million Gallon Per-Year State-of-the-Art Biofuels Facility

  SAIC recently designed and constructed the largest-of-its-kind biofuels facility in the U.S. The 45 million gallon-per-year facility will produce biodiesel from both vegetable and animal feedstocks, providing unique flexibility over the projected 20-year life of the plant.

• Innovative Fuel Sources for Brick Manufacturing

  SAIC is helping drive efficiencies into the energy-intensive brick-making process for Boral Bricks, the largest manufacturer and distributor of clay bricks in the U.S. Efficiencies gained from alternative fuels include using gas from a nearby landfill and implementing new burner technologies. In addition, SAIC developed a turnkey system to deliver ground peanut hulls into the brick kilns. The peanut hulls are burned for fuel in lieu of natural gas, resulting in significant fuel cost savings.

• Dairy Farm Digester Gas and Cogeneration Plant

  SAIC created mechanical schematics and electrical control drawings for the design of a power plant in which digester gas is used to generate electricity. The central plant consists of three 1350-kW generators coupled with reciprocating diesels. The low RPM, dual fuel engines use natural gas and diesel fuel. Waste heat is recovered and utilized to heat cattle manure in a thermophilic digester to generate gas. This gas is enriched with natural gas before being used as engine fuel.

  The plant supplies all the needs of the farm for water pumping and milking operations. Any excess power is fed into the grid of a rural electric cooperative.

• Biomass to Energy Cogeneration Projects

  SAIC provided full engineering services for a world leader in coal technology. The project includes three rice hull gasifiers, two 600 psig steam boilers, and one 15-megawatt turbine/generator. Auxiliary services consist of cooling water and cooling tower, service air, water treatment, and condensate and boiler feed-water systems. Controls are based on programmable logic controllers with a fully automated control scheme. The extraction steam from the turbine is directed into a reheat boiler that produces food quality process steam. The project includes the fuel handling system, the ash disposal system, and all necessary stack emission control systems.