| The Technology The Process Energy & Recyclates World Class Innovation |
The Technology
AvVail Ltd is constantly striving to improve the technologies
used to generate energy from waste and the sorting of
recyclates. A preferred technology is a combination of
‘autoclaving’ waste to produce a fibre and then the transfer of
this fibre into energy via boilers. In simple terms this process
allows for the most effective sorting of sanitised waste to
generate the highest possible output of recycled material -
including waste that has, until now, been very difficult to
process such as bottles with corks in them.
The Process
Waste is delivered into the Waste Reception Hall, following initial sorting to remove
any potential oversized items such as furniture and appliances.The waste is then
placed into ‘Autoclaves’ to sanitise and break down the product. It is then passed through
a screening process to strip out all potential recyclates such as glass, plastics and metals
which would then be reformed into other marketable products.
Following the recovery process a fibre is left which is used to power
boilers. These produce steam to drive turbines and ultimately
generate electricity. Because of the high purity level of
the fibre (90% plus) and the steam recovery, the
process qualifies for carbon credits, given by
the government to only the highest
environmentally friendly and energy
efficient processes.
The proposed plant can receive
municipal solid waste (MSW),
commercial and waste food
streams. The plant will offer almost
100% diversion from landfill thus
avoiding the substantial increases
to Landfill Taxes imposed on
Local Authorities.
Energy & Recyclates
The process of treating waste in this
way allows two things to be produced from
the waste - energy and recyclates. After being steam
treated the waste is passed through a fully automated and highly sophisticated sorting process which removes all available recyclates, including glass, plastics, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, aluminium, textiles and wood.
These recovered materials are then used to produce useful and marketable recycled products, and this will be done at an Eco-Park which will be located adjacent to the Energy from Waste plant.
The metals and aluminium are melted down and used for various new products, ranging from pots and pans to drink cans. Glass is recycled into blocks which can then be used in the building and construction trade. Plastics are used to produce bio-diesel which in turn can be used in cars and lorries. Textiles and wood is used to produce syn-gas which then converted into energy and used to power the Energy from Waste plant.
Any biodegradable material in the incoming waste will have been broken down in the Autoclaves into a black fibre. It is this fibre which is used to produce the green energy as it provides a fuel for the energy generating WID compliant boilers. Because the recoverable and recyclable material has been removed from the fibre before it is used in the boilers it is rated as over 90% pure.
This means that when it is used as a fuel much less ash is produced when compared to fibres that are lower in purity, and the levels of toxins in this ash are vastly reduced. This in turn means that this ash can also be used to make new products (roof and floor tiles) and so it no longer has to go to landfill.
The whole process is designed to maximise production of green energy and the recovery and recycling of the waste, and to ensure that there is almost 100% deviation of the waste from landfill.
World Class Innovation
The DEW Project is the first of its kind to be delivered in Europe. Whilst the various
technologies are tried and tested, Doncaster will be the first in the UK to embrace
the whole process in one plant that can process waste to energy AND use all
recyclates at an adjacent Eco-Park. In addition the process can separate plastics from
the final fibre content to achieve a higher recycling rate than any other similar project. This fibre will be used in boilers to produce energy that is fed into the National Grid. The
processing of recyclates into final products will reduce the carbon footprint of
transportation. The process also steam treats recyclates meaning that they do not need
to be cleaned separately and it can handle contaminated materials (such as shredded
paper and bottles with corks inside them) that would otherwise go to landfill sites.
Overall the process is the world’s greenest solution to processing waste and delivers a solution to the Government strategy to reduce overall waste and maximise recycling.
The partnership intends to commence the planning process in March 2009 and, subject
to gaining consent, hopes to start construction in late 2009 so that the facility can be
ready for commercial operation by late 2011.
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