Energy Recovery Facility: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Technologies & Solutions]]
[[Category:Technologies & Solutions]]
An Energy Recovery Facility, in the broadest context, is the conversion of (non-recyclable) waste into usable heat, electricity, or fuel through a variety of processes, including [[Combustion]], [[Gasification]], [[Pyrolysis]], [[Anaerobic Digestion]], and [[Landfill Gas]] recovery <ref name='ref2'>European Bioplastics, 2015. [https://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/bp/EUBP_BP_Energy_recovery.pdf Energy Recovery Fact Sheet APR 2015.] [online] [Accessed 30 Oct. 2019].</ref>.
An [[Energy Recovery Facility]] ([[ERF]]) is an [[incineration]]/[[Energy from Waste]] Facility that meets the measurement of energy efficiency that qualifies it as an [[R1 Recovery Facility]].
[[File:Viridor Runcorn pic.png|400px|left|Runcorn 1&2 ERF]]<ref>[https://www.viridor.co.uk/energy/energy-recovery-facilities/runcorn-erf/ Runcorn EfW Site Photo]All Rights Reserved. Runcorn had the highest [[R1]] measurement listed by the [[EA]] in 2019</ref>__TOC__
<br clear='left'/>


Energy Recovery generally refers to facilities where the main purpose is generation of energy, and formal [[R1]] accreditation has been awarded<ref name='ref1'>Defra, 2019. [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/784263/UK_Statistics_on_Waste_statistical_notice_March_2019_rev_FINAL.pdf UK Statistics on Waste. London: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Government Statistical Service.]</ref>.  
==Context and Definition==
In legal terms, a '''‘waste [[incineration]] plant’''' means any stationary or mobile technical unit and equipment dedicated to the [[treatment|thermal treatment]] of waste, with or without [[recovery]] of any energy generated, or whether the gases resulting from the thermal [[treatment]] are subsequently incinerated <ref>As an example, a [[Pyrolysis]] facility that burnt the produced [[Syngas]] to generate electricity would be Incineration, whereas a [[Pyrolysis]] facility that processed [[Syngas]] for vehicle fuel would not be classed as an incinerator</ref><ref name='ref01'>European Commission, 2010 Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control). Official Journal of the European Union.</ref>. If the Incinerator can be shown to meet the energy efficiency measurement of [[R1]] it can be classified as a [[recovery]] facility, if it cannot it is classified as a [[disposal]] facility<ref>https://data.gov.uk/dataset/8287c81b-2288-4f14-9068-52bfda396402/r1-status-of-incinerators-in-england</ref>. This means that an incinerator that generates power, and is a net exporter of power, can be described as an '''[[Energy from Waste]]''' ([[EfW]]) facility. An incinerator that is an [[EfW]] facility that meets the [[R1]] criteria is the only type of incinerator under the legislation that can legitimately describe itself as an '''[[Energy Recovery Facility]]''' ([[ERF]]).  


Often, an ERF is seen more specifically in the context of an [[Energy from Waste]] ([[EfW]]) receiving [[Municipal Solid Waste]] achieving (or anticipated to achieve) [[R1]] status. It does not necessarily mean that that an ERF is one that uses [[ATT]] or [[ACT]] processes such as [[Gasification]] and [[Pyrolysis]], despite it often being discussed or used in this context.
The most recent recent [[BAT|BREF]] guidance<ref name="Inc">[https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/news/new-eu-environmental-standards-waste-incineration BAT and BREF for Waste incineration]</ref> also sets out how incinerators can be described by:
* waste origin (e.g. Municipal Incinerators), '''and in WikiWaste includes [[Residual Waste EFW]] and [[Biomass Waste EFW]]''',
* the nature of the waste (e.g. Hazardous Waste Incinerators),  
* the method/type of incineration (e.g. High Temperature Incinerators)


EfW facilities without formal [[R1]] accreditation are reported [[Disposal]] rather than [[Recovery]] facilities<ref name='ref3'>Defra, 2014. [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284612/pb14130-energy-waste-201402.pdf Energy from Waste: A guide to the debate February 2014 (revised edition).] London.</ref>. Whether or not a facility is granted R1 status is important for planning purposes and for application of the [[Proximity Principle]].
In WikiWaste these last two bullet points are covered in '''[[High Temperature and Clinical Waste Incineration]]'''.


In the UK, energy recovery is the waste management process that is showing the largest increase in the amount of waste that it is receiving. The amount of waste being sent to [[ERF]]s almost quadrupled from 2014 to 2016, increasing from 1.9 million tonnes to 7.3 million tonnes<ref name='ref1' />. The tonnage of waste sent to [[ERF]]s has now surpassed that sent to [[Incineration]] without energy recovery<ref name='ref1' />.
However, there are a range of other terms used in the sector to describe different types of incineration and [[Energy from Waste]], the kiln/furnace used, and the [[subsidy]] that may apply to them, and these are captured in the table below:
 
{|class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Definitions in Legislation!!rowspan=7 style="padding: 50px"|&nbsp;!!Types!!Temp. Range °C!!Category!!rowspan=7 style="padding: 50px"|&nbsp; !!Kiln/Furnace/Reactor
|-
|rowspan=6|[[Incineration]]||rowspan=3|[[Incineration with Energy Recovery|With Energy Recovery]]||rowspan=2|[[Combustion]]|| rowspan=2|800 - 1450||rowspan=2|[[Treatment|Thermal Treatment]]|| [[Grate]]
|-
|[[Fluidised Bed]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Gasification]]||rowspan=2|500 - 1600||rowspan=2| [[Advanced Thermal Treatment]] ([[ATT]] and [[ACT]])||[[Rotary Kiln]]
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Incineration without Energy Recovery|Without Energy Recovery]]||[[Plasma]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Pyrolysis]]||rowspan=2|250 - 700||rowspan=2|[[Advanced Thermal Treatment]] ([[ATT]] and [[ACT]]) ||[[Heated Tube]]
|-
|[[Surface contact]]
|}
 
The large majority of incinerators built and operating to date in the UK are based on 'conventional' [[Combustion]] type incineration, with some development of [[Gasification]] and [[Pyrolysis]] types over the last 10 to 15 years in the UK, with varying degrees of success. These [[ATT]]/[[ACT]] types of technology were encouraged by the [[subsidy]] available for power generation under the [[Renewables Obligation]].  
 
The three types of incineration'[[EfW]] can have a variety of different furnaces (also termed kilns and reactors) and associated systems to ensure the uniform treatment and residence time of the waste in the kiln/reactor. The most common kilns/furnaces are [[Grate]] based (there are at least five different type of [[Grate]]), with [[Fluidised Bed]] kilns/furnaces more commonly used in [[Gasification]].
 
==Current Energy Recovery Facilities==
Those [[EfW]] facilities that received [[MSW]] waste in England that are considered to be an [[Energy Recovery Facility]] are listed on the [[R1 Recovery Facility]] page of WikiWaste.


The majority (76%) of waste treated at energy recovery facilities is 'Household & Similar Wastes' and in 2016, there were 37 energy recovery facilities operating in the UK with a total yearly capacity of 9,808,000 tonnes 1. The number of these facilities has increased by 8, and the capacity has doubled in the years 2014-2016<ref name='ref1' />.
==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />

Latest revision as of 13:50, 26 April 2021

An Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) is an incineration/Energy from Waste Facility that meets the measurement of energy efficiency that qualifies it as an R1 Recovery Facility.

Runcorn 1&2 ERF
Runcorn 1&2 ERF

[1]


Context and Definition

In legal terms, a ‘waste incineration plant’ means any stationary or mobile technical unit and equipment dedicated to the thermal treatment of waste, with or without recovery of any energy generated, or whether the gases resulting from the thermal treatment are subsequently incinerated [2][3]. If the Incinerator can be shown to meet the energy efficiency measurement of R1 it can be classified as a recovery facility, if it cannot it is classified as a disposal facility[4]. This means that an incinerator that generates power, and is a net exporter of power, can be described as an Energy from Waste (EfW) facility. An incinerator that is an EfW facility that meets the R1 criteria is the only type of incinerator under the legislation that can legitimately describe itself as an Energy Recovery Facility (ERF).

The most recent recent BREF guidance[5] also sets out how incinerators can be described by:

  • waste origin (e.g. Municipal Incinerators), and in WikiWaste includes Residual Waste EFW and Biomass Waste EFW,
  • the nature of the waste (e.g. Hazardous Waste Incinerators),
  • the method/type of incineration (e.g. High Temperature Incinerators)

In WikiWaste these last two bullet points are covered in High Temperature and Clinical Waste Incineration.

However, there are a range of other terms used in the sector to describe different types of incineration and Energy from Waste, the kiln/furnace used, and the subsidy that may apply to them, and these are captured in the table below:

Definitions in Legislation   Types Temp. Range °C Category   Kiln/Furnace/Reactor
Incineration With Energy Recovery Combustion 800 - 1450 Thermal Treatment Grate
Fluidised Bed
Gasification 500 - 1600 Advanced Thermal Treatment (ATT and ACT) Rotary Kiln
Without Energy Recovery Plasma
Pyrolysis 250 - 700 Advanced Thermal Treatment (ATT and ACT) Heated Tube
Surface contact

The large majority of incinerators built and operating to date in the UK are based on 'conventional' Combustion type incineration, with some development of Gasification and Pyrolysis types over the last 10 to 15 years in the UK, with varying degrees of success. These ATT/ACT types of technology were encouraged by the subsidy available for power generation under the Renewables Obligation.

The three types of incineration'EfW can have a variety of different furnaces (also termed kilns and reactors) and associated systems to ensure the uniform treatment and residence time of the waste in the kiln/reactor. The most common kilns/furnaces are Grate based (there are at least five different type of Grate), with Fluidised Bed kilns/furnaces more commonly used in Gasification.

Current Energy Recovery Facilities

Those EfW facilities that received MSW waste in England that are considered to be an Energy Recovery Facility are listed on the R1 Recovery Facility page of WikiWaste.

References

  1. ↑ Runcorn EfW Site PhotoAll Rights Reserved. Runcorn had the highest R1 measurement listed by the EA in 2019
  2. ↑ As an example, a Pyrolysis facility that burnt the produced Syngas to generate electricity would be Incineration, whereas a Pyrolysis facility that processed Syngas for vehicle fuel would not be classed as an incinerator
  3. ↑ European Commission, 2010 Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control). Official Journal of the European Union.
  4. ↑ https://data.gov.uk/dataset/8287c81b-2288-4f14-9068-52bfda396402/r1-status-of-incinerators-in-england
  5. ↑ BAT and BREF for Waste incineration
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