Isle of Jura – New Biomass Pellet Handling & Storage System

The Client

A site on the remote Isle of Jura required a new biomass pellet handling and storage system. The project involved offloading wood pellets into large storage silos and conveying them to a biomass boiler to enable the site to generate steam for production using greener energy sources.

Our team was tasked with designing, supplying, and installing the system to meet the site’s unique requirements, working with an experience boiler manufacturer and local Principal Contractor whilst onsite.

The Brief

• Design and install a bulk unloading system for wood pellets.
• Provide two 72-tonne storage silos for long-term containment.
• Integrate a conveyor system to feed the pellets into the biomass boiler.
• Ensure the conveyors could handle variances in the bulk density of the product.

The Project

The new system was designed to streamline pellet handling while accommodating the unique logistical and environmental challenges presented by the project’s remote island location.

The installation included:

• Bulk Unloading System: Facilitating the efficient offloading of wood pellets into two silos.
• Storage Silos: Two 72-tonne silos designed for bulk containment.
• Oversized Conveyor System: The conveyors were specifically oversized to handle variations in the bulk density of the wood pellets. This design required that we ensured:
• Sufficient power to transport denser product.
• Volumetric capacity to move lighter product without overloading the system.
• The system was seamlessly integrated to feed the biomass boiler supplied by others, enabling the site to generate steam for production.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge – Remote Island Logistics
The Isle of Jura’s remote location presented significant logistical challenges. Transporting equipment, materials, and personnel to the island required careful coordination.

Solution – The support of local contractors was invaluable in overcoming these challenges. Their expertise in local logistics helped ensure the project progressed smoothly.

Challenge – Extreme Weather Conditions
The west coast of Scotland experiences particularly harsh weather conditions, including heavy and persistent rainfall.

Solution – Our standard fabric compensators were unsuitable for such extreme conditions. We identified and implemented more robust solutions better suited to the environment.

Challenge – Coastal Environment and Housekeeping
The proximity of the site to the coast introduced additional housekeeping challenges. Any leftover metal swarf caused immediate rusting of galvanised components due to the salty and damp environment.

Solution – Stringent housekeeping measures were implemented throughout the project. The team ensured all work areas were cleaned meticulously, preventing swarf-related issues and ensuring the longevity of the installed components.

The Result

The completed biomass pellet handling and storage system allows the site to generate steam for production using a greener energy source. This supports the site’s sustainability goals while improving operational efficiency.

Despite the logistical and environmental challenges, the project was successfully delivered, showcasing our expertise in system design, installation, and project management.