New Arconvert SpA cogeneration plant

First parallel of the new cogeneration plant at the Arconvert SpA plant in Arco (TN)

On 18 November 2020, in the presence of SET Distribuzione SpA technicians, the first parallel of the new cogeneration group was successfully carried out at the Arconvert-Ritrama plant in Arco (TN).

Arconvert-Ritrama is a company of the Fedrigoni Group, a global market leader in the production of self-adhesive materials for the labeling industry, whose production process essentially consists of the siliconization phase (application of a silicone film on a substrate paper) and adhesive application (application of the adhesive to the front material for transfer from the silicone support). The 4 coating lines in the production department are dedicated to production and produce rolls of self-adhesive paper as semi-finished products with a variable length of 6,000÷8,000 linear meters in a width range between 1.0÷1.5 metres.

The cogeneration plant consists of a Jenbacher JGS 320 GS-N.L internal combustion engine. Otto cycle methane gas coupled to a synchronous generator with a nominal electrical power at the generator terminals of 999 kW, referring to a thermal power introduced with the fuel of 2,486 kW, corresponding to a methane flow rate equal to 262 Nm3/h.

The plant, which was built by the AB Energy company of Orzinuovi (BS), is characterized by a full load electrical power of 999 kW and is equipped with a series of heat recovery circuits through which it will be possible to recover up to 1,241 kW of thermal power in the form of hot water, used for “preheating” the air supply to the burners of the 2 largest and most efficient coating machines in the plant, for an overall energy efficiency of more than 90%.

When fully operational, the plant is expected to produce 6,470 MWh of electricity annually (around 90% of the plant’s consumption) and 8,190 MWh of thermal energy (around 37% of the plant’s consumption) with a highly positive impact on the environment due to the annual reduction in overall CO2 emitted estimated at 656,600 kgCO2/year.

Polo Tecnologico per l’Energia followed all the phases of construction of the plant, offering its assistance for:

• the construction of the simulation model of the operation of the plant, with definition at the single hour;

• the definition of the economic analysis of the investment;

• the definition of the size and technology of the cogeneration plant;

• the definition of supply specifications;

• the choice of the system manufacturer;

• obtaining all authorization qualifications (A.U.T., Fire Brigade, Electrical Grid Connection Practices, Electrical Workshop, etc.);

• obtaining financial contributions (provincial contribution, C.A.R. practice including request for estimate);

• management of the installation phase of the system and modification of company systems;

• construction site safety management (C.S.P. and C.S.E.). Obtaining all authorizations (A.U.T., Fire Brigade, procedures for connecting to the electricity grid, Electrical Workshop, etc.);

• obtaining financial contributions (provincial contribution, C.A.R. practice including request for estimate);

• management of the installation phase of the system and modification of company systems;

• construction site safety management (C.S.P. and C.S.E.).