Case Study - Commissioning

Continental Research and Engineering, LLC (CR&E) provided our experienced engineering personnel to assist KFX Inc. with construction completion and commissioning of the KFX 750,000 ton per year K-Fuel™ production facility near Gillette, WY.  The K-Fuel™ process uses heat and pressure to physically and chemically transform low-cost, low-rank coal into an energy efficient lower-emission fuel.  An important co-benefit of the K-Fuel™ process is the removal of significant amounts of impurities, including mercury, and can reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) when combusted.  CR&E engineers ensured the completion and check out of instrumentation, controls, process equipment, and systems so that the plant was able to produce the first batch of K-Fuel™ product in December, 2005.  CR&E will continue to support the KFX facility with on-site engineering until continuous operation is achieved. 

CR&E has completed supporting the startup of the Payne Creek Generating Station in Bowling Green, Florida. CR&E’s startup experience was instrumental in assisting Black and Veatch and the SWPC Consortium in completing the project on time. This 2 over 1 SWPC combined cycle unit was turned over to Seminole Electric Power Company on December 31, 2001 and provides 500 megawatts of electrical power to the local area.  

Washington Demilitarization Company (WDC) is the operator of Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (UMCDF) located near Hermiston, Oregon. CR&E provided assistance in the commissioning, troubleshooting and systemization testing of UMCDF. WDC utilized CR&E’s experience in chemical weapons demilitarization and startup to assist WDC personnel in the initial operation and testing of systems at UMCDF. WDC assigned CR&E personnel to support the Liquid Incinerator Startup, Deactivation Furnace, Metal Parts Furnace,  HVAC  Plant and Laboratory Testing, Balancing and Certification, Fire Detection, Electrical Distribution and the Brine Reduction Area. CR&E continues to support the project during initial operation of the facility destroying M55 GB rockets.