Harlingen residues power station
Description
Combustion of non-reusable waste is used to make energy in a sustainable and safe way at the REC: almost 95 megawatts. Inspired by similar installations in Denmark, Omrin has chosen a small-scale installation that can supply its heat and energy to the immediate surroundings. The REC's capacity is no larger than necessary and tailored to the combustible waste available to Omrin.
Omrin built the REC in Harlingen's port area because the heat can be delivered to neighbouring companies there. The second largest consumer of natural gas in Fryslân is located there: Frisia Salt. It saves 75 million cubic metres of natural gas a year by taking heat from the REC. The REC thus also realises a C02 emission avoidance of approximately 140,000 tons in Fryslân.
The REC has a maximum incineration capacity of 228,000 tons of waste. Various waste streams are involved, the main streams being household residual waste, industrial waste, digistate (a residual product of fermentation) and bulky household waste. No hazardous substances are incinerated, and the same applies to vegetable, fruit and garden waste, for example. What may and may not ultimately be incinerated is meticulously described in the environmental licence.
The incinerator in the REC is capable of burning around 684,000 kilos of waste daily. In the process, the temperature rises to 1,100 degrees. Water is then heated in a boiler and the steam that is released is important: this steam is transported to the nearby combined heat and power plant where it is converted into energy.
Flue-gas cleaning is an important component; it ensures compliance with the strict air emission values laid down in the environmental licence. To this end, the flue gases released during combustion are cleaned in four steps. This process is also continuously monitored from the control room.
Waste incineration plants have to comply with strict air requirements, as does Omrin's Residual Waste-to-Energy Plant. The emissions of substances created in the REC's flue gases are therefore measured continuously.
At the REC, air emissions of substances are continuously monitored and registered. A so-called biomonitoring programme is carried out to obtain an objective answer to the question of whether air emissions in the vicinity affect people and the environment. In biomonitoring, spinach, kale, grass, cow's milk and lime paper are used as 'telltale signs' of excessive emissions of substances.
Safety is an important issue for Omrin, which means that a healthy and safe working and living environment is paramount. Not only when it comes to safety in and around the REC, but also for the people and the environment in the surrounding area. Although waste incineration is a clean activity, Omrin makes work of safety
13:45. Arrival and registration at REC in Harlingen.
14:00 hrs. General presentation REC (history, preparation realisation and construction), including questions and discussion.
14:45 hrs. Technical presentation covering all relevant topics (ie also description above), including questions and discussion.
15:30 hrs. Coffee and tea break.
15:45 hrs. Guided tour of the power plant.
16:45 hrs. Joint conclusion of the visit.
14:45
Speaker(s)
M. Koopmans, Omrin.
S. Bosch, Plant manager REC.
Various specialists REC.
Ir. P. Dijkshoorn, KIVI-NIRIA Noord
Location
P.O. Box 49 8860 AA Harlingen
Organiser
Region North
Name and contact details for information
Ir. P. Dijkshoorn