PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MALDON, UK, December 3, 2015 – (www.ndc.com)
NDC Technologies Delivers Complete Moisture Measurement System Solution
to Zilkha Biomass Energy
NDC Technologies, a leading global provider of precision measurement and control solutions, has
delivered a comprehensive, in-process Near-Infrared (NIR) moisture monitoring system to one of the
world’s largest producers of advanced black pellet fuel, Zilkha Biomass Energy. The system solution
includes the installation of multiple NDC CM710e NIR moisture gauges with HMIs and Operator
Workstations to better control the quality of the company’s flagship biofuel product and to improve process
performance. Zilkha Biomass Energy produces the Zilkha Black® Pellet, a proprietary water-resistant
biomass pellet that is transportable and can be stored like coal.
“NDC’s NIR moisture measurement system has been a valuable tool to our plant,” says Charles Daw,
Zilkha Biomass Selma’s Plant Manager. “Their system helps us to identify process changes in real time and
adjust to those changes quickly to optimize results.”
NDC’s NIR moisture measurement system is installed at Zilkha’s new biomass pellet plant in Selma,
Alabama. Six NDC CM710e NIR on-line gauges are installed at various points in the process. The CM710e
gauges before and after the drying stages capture continuous, accurate, repeatable and real-time moisture
measurements of the wood chips in process, allowing for better control and higher quality to ensure product
meets target moisture specifications. The CM710e gauges after the dryer and at other process locations
are equipped with NDC’s PowderVision sampling system. This system is installed in an enclosed duct with
sampling cup which allows for the gravity-fed wood chips to be effectively collected, measured and
pneumatically returned to the process on a continuous basis. NDC’s HMIs provide supervisory access to
the networked CM710e gauges and enable plant personnel to easily setup, calibrate and manage products.
The HMIs provide feedback communications via Ethernet TCP/IP to Zilkha’s PLC for process monitoring
and control.
Early reports indicate that NDC’s comprehensive measurement system is delivering immediate benefits to
Zilkha. The implementation of precision, on-line instrumentation has eliminated the need for timeconsuming, off-line gravimetric oven testing to confirm moisture levels. And, the CM710e measurement
system has enabled Zilkha’s processing plant to enhance pellet quality, improve production efficiency and
optimize its drying processes. NDC expects Zilkha to realize a short-term ROI and long-term, bottom-line
benefits.
Prior to the Selma plant installation, NDC has also implemented two CM710e moisture gauges at Zilkha’s
pellet plant in Crockett, Texas.
www.ndc.com
Measured by Commitment
o
NDC Technologies Ltd, Bates Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5FA United Kingdom Registered in England, N 630998
Tel: +44 1621 852 244 Fax: +44 1621 856 180 [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
For more information, please visit www.ndc.com/biofuels.
Press Contacts
Jay Luis
Dayton, OH
Tel: +1 937 233 9935
Fax: +1 937 233 7284
Email: [email protected]
www.ndc.com
Ray Shead
Irwindale, CA
Tel: +1 626 960 3300
Fax: +1 626 939 3870
Email: [email protected]
Andrew Wheeler
Maldon, UK
Tel: +44 1621 878124
Fax: +44 1621 856180
Email: [email protected]
Measured by Commitment
o
NDC Technologies Ltd, Bates Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5FA United Kingdom Registered in England, N 630998
Tel: +44 1621 852 244 Fax: +44 1621 856 180 [email protected]