`Abnormal' emissions at plant
WASTE processing at a plant using similar gasification technology to that planned for a site in Sinfin has been temporarily suspended because of "abnormal" emissions of dioxins.
Waste Gas Technology stopped production at its plant on the Isle of Wight to investigate the emission test results.
Routine independent tests, undertaken as part of the environmental permit at the plant, reported a level of dioxins which exceeded the company's standards and the permitted level.
The plant uses a process called gasification, in which waste is heat-treated, turning it into ash and producing a gas which can be burned to create energy.
The gasification technology at the Isle of White plant was developed by waste treatment firm Energos.
However, Resource Recovery Solutions, the company which is behind the planned site in Sinfin Lane, which will use Energos technology if it is built, said the facility on the Isle of Wight was completely different.
A spokesman for RRS said: "The Isle of Wight facility is not typical of the plant that RRS is proposing to build, because it is an adaptation of an older recovery plant.
" It used existing infrastructure and equipment including the flue gas cleaning equipment – the source of the current problem."
3 Comments
by Simon, Blagreaves, Derby
Friday, May 28 2010, 11:42PM
“Chris,
Interesting comments.
So your suggesting that having built and run a series of plants in Norway over a number of years Energos suddenly make a mess of their first UK plant ! No judgement can be made using Norway examples as UK residents are not in a position to access data on waste types processed.
Your right on one thing Chris - we have a moral obligation to reduce our waste - but that wont happen with a 25+ year waste contract because you remove the drive to recycle and reduce because as a council they have to provide a set amount of waste to RRS.
On the issue of Dioxin this is a prime example of when constant dioxin monitoring at such plants should be standard but that isnt proposed by RRS and ENERGOS - why is that when it can be done? If ENERGOS plants are so safe ENERGOS should be bending over backwards to prove this to be fact !
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - dont BURN BABY BURN !”
by Chris, Derby
Friday, May 28 2010, 3:03PM
“To my knowledge the IOW project is a hybrid version of the Gasification plant. The proposed RRS and Energos plant for Derby is one of their own design and new materials/structure on an empty site.
Personally, 'I don't live in Sinfin so I can understand your concerns about having a plant in your back yard' I think we should really back this technology. Surely it is better than landfill, and DEFRA surely understand the process, and wouldn't back it if it wasn't a good option?
I for one hope this goes through, we all have a morale obligation to reduce are waste, but recycling everything is physically impossible.
Gasification seems to be an excellent alternative, with I understand with their other plants a fraction of the Dioxin limit.
Ok they seem to have made a mess of the IOW project but surely every technology has its problems. Looking at data from the plants in Norway they have been doing an excellent job at way under the limit.
I personally don't see this as a big issue, I take it they have shut down to find the problem?
No harm done in the scale of things?
Good luck for the project.”
by Simon, Blagreaves, Derby
Friday, May 28 2010, 8:03AM
“Interesting comments from the likes of RRS !
This plant is the first UK ENERGOS plant and gained funding from DEFRA as a new technology demo plant. The gasification technology is the same as proposed for Sinfin in Derby as RRS and ENERGOS told me so at their consultation days ! You have to ask yourself if your promoting your "new technology" why would you then install it into an old plant using old filtration ! Just for the record the dioxin emission was 0.8616 nanograms per cubic metre while the limit is just 0.1 nanograms. I know this as I have the emission data forms from the Environment Agency.”