Limagrain
The client’s objectives and expectations
The client, Limagrain, is a company engaged in the seed trade, particularly corn seeds.
Once the corn is harvested, it needs to be dried for storage in preparation for future planting seasons.
This drying was previously done using a combination of a gas boiler and a corn cob incinerator (corn husks).
The client therefore contacted us to install an industrial corn drying system powered exclusively by corn cobs.
L’objectif étant pour lui la décarbonation de ce process ainsi que la maitrise de sa facture énergétique.
Our main tasks
- Feasibility study to assess the technical and economic viability of the project,
- Design studies of the solution,
- Monitoring of construction and commissioning.
We designed a corn drying installation in:
- Modifying its existing dryers to adapt a water/air heat exchanger,
- Creating a district heating network aimed at supplying the various dryers,
- Creating a corn cob and backup gas boiler room to supply the district heating network.
Project characteristics
- Corn cob boiler power: 8 MW,
- Backup/emergency gas boiler power: 4 MW,
- 6 dryers supplied,
- 600 meters of buried district heating network,
- Boiler room: 540 m², height of 14 m.
Results achieved
The work was completed in 11 months.
The boiler room was commissioned on time for the corn harvest season.
Except for the unforeseen issues encountered during commissioning, the installation is operating as we had designed it.
Only 2.5 years passed between the initial study and the commissioning phase of the installations, which is relatively uncommon for projects of this type and scale, and demonstrates the determination and efficiency of all stakeholders in ensuring the project’s success. The companies selected were chosen not only for financial reasons but also because they are reputable firms with an ongoing and trusted relationship with the client. This contributed to the project’s success and enabled a smooth execution with committed stakeholders.
Guillaume, Deputy Director Exoceth