Ingenio El Ángel

Ingenio El Ángel, founded in 1882 by the Meléndez family, in its fourth project phase decided to invest in the concept of a High-Efficiency Thermal Power Plant, aiming to significantly increase power generation at its facility.

The HPB steam generating unit is the first of its kind in Central America.

Among the main features of this project is the capacity to produce 235,000 kg/h of superheated steam at 545 °C and 102 kgf/cm²(g), from the combustion of sugarcane bagasse in a Bubbling Fluidized Bed (BFB). The system operates in an optimized regenerative cycle with high-pressure feedwater heaters, which greatly contribute to higher thermal cycle efficiency.

This steam generation system is supported by steel structures specially designed to withstand seismic activity in the installation region. It includes a furnace with membrane wall panels, heat recovery devices such as economizers and air preheaters, and a “single drum” design equipped with advanced combustion technology (BFB), ensuring combustion efficiency above 99.5%. In addition, it allows the use of biomass with moisture content as high as 65% while maintaining low percentages of average excess air.

The concept and design of this steam generator were developed by HPB Engenharia, a company that is part of the HPB Holding, licensed by The Babcock and Wilcox Company, Barberton, Ohio, USA (B&W).

Boiler Technical Data:

• Engineering and Technology: HPB Engenharia e Equipamentos Ltda | B&W

• Maximum Steam Flow: 235,000 kg/h

• Steam Operating Pressure: 101 bar

• Final Steam Temperature: 545 °C

• Start-up Fuel: Alcohol

• Main Fuel: Sugarcane bagasse

• Boiler Thermal Efficiency: 92.5% (LHV)

• Guaranteed Emissions: Particulate: < 200 mg/Nm³