The online magazine of Pon Power, the Caterpillar dealer for diesel and gas engines and generators.
In this magazine we keep you up to date on the latest projects, new products & services and technical innovations.
FACTS & FIGURES
VAN GEEL ORCHIDEEËN
Chrysanthemum and orchid grower, Erica (NL)
CHP-INSTALLATION
Combined Heat-Power installation; combustion installation producing both heat and electricity
FUEL
Natural gas
ADDITIONAL BENEFIT
In the glasshouse industry the CO2 released in flue gases is used to boost crop growth
GREEN LABEL GLASSHOUSE
Certification in glasshouse industry that awards the installation of measures reducing environmental impact, compared to regular glasshouse operations
WKK-INSTALLATIE VOORUITLOPEND OP EMISSIEWETGEVING GEREVISEERD EN AANGEPAST
PON POWER MODIFIES CAT 3516E GAS ENGINE FOR GREEN LABEL GLASSHOUSE CERTIFICATION
ASK A QUESTION
ASK A QUESTION
FACTS & FIGURES
GREEN LABEL GLASSHOUSE
ADDITIONAL BENEFIT
FUEL
CHP-INSTALLATION
VAN GEEL ORCHIDEEËN
Certification in glasshouse industry that awards the installation of measures reducing environmental impact, compared to regular glasshouse operations
In the glasshouse industry the CO2 released in flue gases is used to boost crop growth
Natural gas
Combined Heat-Power installation; combustion installation producing both heat and electricity
Chrysanthemum and orchid grower,
Erica (NL)
Johan Booster
co-owner of Van Geel Chrysanten
“We not only looked at the price, but also considered the service in selecting a new installation. In that area Pon Power once again showed its strength.”
FACTS & FIGURES
CAT COMBUSTION KIT
In consultation with Caterpillar various possibilities were examined. A solution was eventually decided in the form of a number of modifications to the engine’s combustion chamber and the installation of a Cat Combustion Kit. Luuk Goedhart, Technical Specialist at Pon Power: “This type of CHP installation burns natural gas and air. However, with this type of combustion process there are always cavities in the combustion chamber where the fire does not reach, as a result of which a small percentage of gas remains unburnt. That’s a problem, for two reasons. First, it’s a waste of natural gas: gas that was paid for, and that should not go up the chimney unused. Second, those non-combusted hydrocarbons play an important role in creating the so-called ‘greenhouse’ effect. By improving the combustion chamber, the fire is able to spread into ‘the tiny corners’, resulting in an improved combustion of the natural gas/air mixture. In other words, better efficiency and a reduction of harmful emissions.” The installation was recently inspected and much to the satisfaction of both Van Geel and Pon Power, it met all the criteria by a generous margin. Van Geel Orchideeën can now proudly carry the Green Label Glasshouse certificate.
Johan Booster, co-owner of Van Geel Orchideeën, explains: “We already had three Cats here. So, when we recently decided to build another extension that needed a new CHP installation, it made sense to request Pon Power to prepare a proposal. However, it was important that the installation should meet the criteria for certification as a Green Label Glasshouse.” A Green Label Glasshouse is an industrial glasshouse that is designed for reducing the environmental footprint. A Green Label Glasshouse contributes to a sustainable glasshouse industry and satisfies stringent environmental requirements in areas such as hydrocarbon emission levels, energy use, crop protection, and nuisance from lighting.
Glasshouses that are awarded the Green Label Glasshouse certificate can participate in various government schemes and qualify for tax incentives. In other words, ample encouragement, but it has to be achievable technically. Bjorn Hoefnagels, Project Manager at Pon Power, clarifies: “What was needed at Van Geel, in terms of the specifications, was an engine in the 3500E series. However this is an engine which in the standard version does not meet the recently once more stepped-up emission requirements for the Green Label Glasshouse. So, we had an interesting technical challenge here. Encouraged by our good working relations with Van Geel, we decided to grab it with both hands!”
Bjorn Hoefnagels
Project manager Pon Power
“We didn’t have a ready solution on the shelf, so this was an interesting technical challenge.”
CERTIFICATION
GREEN LABEL GLASSHOUSE
PON POWER MODIFIES
CAT 3516E GAS ENGINE FOR
Early this year Pon Power installed a Cat G3516E CHP installation at Van Geel, a chrysanthemum and orchid grower in the Dutch town of Erica. The engine is the first 3500E gas engine that meets the Green Label Glasshouse emission requirements: a technical tour de force that had the engineers racking their brains. Pon Power News delved into the matter.