Comprehensive Emissions Monitoring for a New Energy from Waste Plant

A new 186,500 tonne “Energy from Waste” plant is planned in Scotland to process post-recycled residual waste which would otherwise go to landfill. The facility, set to be operational in 2025, will produce around 17MWe, enough to power approximately 30,000 homes. It will contribute to Scotland’s drive to reduce CO₂ emissions from electricity generation and help decarbonise the UK economy.

Background

The plant will comply with waste incineration plant conditions as defined by the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) (IED). The IED is supported by Best Available Techniques Reference notes (BREFs) and BAT-Conclusions documents, which specify Allowable Emission Limits (AELs).

There is continuous monitoring of emissions to air from the facility for oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, VOCs, and particulates (dust). Other trace pollutants like mercury and dioxins will be monitored at regular intervals.

If emissions to air approach or exceed the permitted limits, the continuous emissions monitoring system will alert operators via the control system. Operators will adjust the plant’s emissions treatment to maintain compliance with the environmental permit.

The results of emissions monitoring will be reported to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in accordance with the environmental permit requirements.

Solid residues generated by the facility are sampled regularly to assess bottom ash burnout and to monitor parameters such as total organic carbon.

Solution

With vast experience across more than 120 waste-to-energy sites, ENVEA UK was awarded the emissions monitoring contract to supply:

• EN 14181 QAL 1 Certified, Continuous Emissions Monitoring System configured to measure oxides of nitrogen (NO_x), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) & nitrous oxide (N₂O), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂) sulphur dioxide (SO₂), hydrogen chloride (HCl), hydrogen fluoride (HF), ammonia (NH₃), volatile organic compounds (VOC), oxygen (O₂), and moisture (H₂O)
• EN 14181 QAL 1 Certified Analysers for total particulate matter, mercury, dioxins, furans, and flow
• MCERTS-certified Data Acquisition Software – meets EN14181 QAL2 and QAL3 data logging requirements.

In addition, the MIR-FTIR gas analyser was specified for raw gas measurements, allowing the client to analyse up to 15 gases simultaneously. This provides valuable data to improve combustion efficiency and reagent usage.

FTIR technology offers:

• The most reliable, stable gas sensing technology
• Versatility in gas detection and easy upgrades
• Simultaneous detection of multiple gases
• Effective protection through filtration and gas conditioning
• A future-proof solution adaptable to certified products

Result

A site survey assessed space availability, access, power, sample run lengths, and potential installation issues. This air-conditioned shelter accommodates three MIR-FTIR analyser racks, the AMESA-D, and two SM-5 analysers.

Customer Benefits

• Compliance with the IED and environmental permit demands
• Enhanced efficiency and cost-effectiveness through advanced raw gas analysis.
• Comprehensive management by ENVEA, from design and installation to ongoing service and support, ensuring responsiveness to any project changes.

Conclusion

ENVEA’s robust and future-proof emissions monitoring solution will ensure that Scotland’s new Energy from Waste plant will operate within stringent environmental standards, contributing to sustainability goals.

More information online.