RADFORD ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT, Va. -- "We are very excited to begin today the construction of a new, greener, cleaner, cogeneration power facility," said Lt. Col. Alicia "Ali" Masson, commander of Radford Army Ammunition Plant at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Natural Gas Energy Center at Radford AAP on April 21.
The Natural Gas Energy Center will replace the existing coal-fired powerhouse that has been in operation for 77 years, Masson said. Radford AAP's existing powerhouse was the first building constructed when the plant was built in the 1940s, and since, has been in near-continuous operation.
"The coal-fired powerhouse, despite nearly $40 million in improvements, still cannot provide the environmental performance and reliability that Radford Army Ammunition Plant requires. The new Natural Gas Energy Center will use clean burning natural gas with lower overall emissions and a higher degree of reliability," said Robert "Rob" Davie, III, chief of operations at Radford AAP.
The new facility will include natural-gas fired package boilers and is scheduled to be fully operational by January 2017. The Natural Gas Energy Center will consist of a metal pre-fabricated building that will house six package boilers with a total steam capacity of 560 pounds per hour.
"The new facility will significantly reduce the air emissions associated with steam production. The Natural Gas Energy Center will use the latest natural gas boiler technologies to efficiently produce steam for Radford AAP's production and heating needs. The new facility will also use the existing steam turbines to generate electricity. The facility's design also allows for the future integration of renewable electricity generated from solar or wind technologies," said Davie.
"The new facility is cleaner, more efficient, and provides long-term improved air quality for Radford Army Ammunition Plant and our surrounding community," said Masson.
Social Sharing