By Phil Fletcher,
If Jonathan Joseph really wishes to dispel myths about the Brent Cross Cricklewood project, then perhaps he should be more open about what Energy from Waste options he is considering there.
As far as I know, apart from classical incineration, there are two other methods of obtaining energy from waste – pyrolysis and gasification.
Pyrolysis is the heat treatment of waste in the absence of air. Gasification is the heating of waste with limited amounts of air to several hundred degrees Celsius, rather like the process for making coal gas.
Since Mr. Joseph has claimed there are “Energy from Waste” plants operating
in Germany, I contacted various organisations, the Oekoinstitut Darmstadt and the German Friends of the Earth, to check. I received the following information.
Pyrolysis and Gasification have been all but abandoned in Germany.
I was told there is only one functioning pyrolysis plant in Germany, in Guenzburg, near Ulm, Bavaria. This has been running for 10 years, and apparently has been fraught with problems, and is not technically efficient or economically viable. Although the Bavarian Government normally favours incineration, to date they have not built any further plants.
Siemens has constructed a large scale gasification plant in Fuerth, near Nuremberg, but this has never operated commercially, due to an accident. Apparently, the springs from incinerated mattresses rolled themselves together, penetrating the lining and allowing pollutants to escape. Some workers were injured and the vicinity was contaminated. Siemens hasn’t brought the plant into use, or built a similar plant since.
Finally, there was a pilot project in Karlsruhe. This operated at 2000 degC to destroy pollutants, the effluent gasses being suddenly cooled to prevent dioxins from forming. But the gasses at 2000 degC were so corrosive, that the lining was destroyed within a short space of time, and would have needed frequent replacement. As there were continual breakdowns, the contractors abandoned the project.
It would be good if the Brent Cross developers could be more forthright about their plans. They are clearly not ready to apply for planning permission.
Phil Fletcher
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Phil Fletcher is the Coordinator of Barnet & Enfield Friends of the Earth. Guest blogs are always welcome (so long as they are vaguely relevant to the topics we cover here at the Barnet Eye).
2 comments:
The "Edmonton" incinerator or "Cancer Factory" as it is nicknamed by locals in N18/N9 is an example of why having incinerators in urban areas is totally unacceptable. Every night a massive cloud of pollution hangs over Edmonton. My partner comes from that area and many have lost relatives from cancer. The children in that area have a very high non attendance rate at school and lung complaints effect almost 3 out of 4. I really do not think people realise what an awful idea this is.....The footprint from such incinerators could effect us in Mill Hill as well depending on the winds. It is a whole Barnet problem and I applaud the Barnet Eye for publishing this important article.
I do agree that there are pros and cons of Incinerators but I personally agree to use to incinerators of good qualities like http://www.alfathermltd.com
Post a Comment