On the 26th March 2014 a
group of undergraduate and post graduate students visited the Coventry &
Solihull Waste Disposal Company (CSWDC). CSWDC is an independent waste
management company whose main business is extracting energy from municipal and
commercial solid waste. The energy from waste (EfW) plant is based to the south
of the City (Coventry) and has been operational since the 1970s. The 250,000 tonnes per annum facility
produces electricity (used for powering site operation and export to the
national grid) and exports excess heat energy (heated water) to business
premises off-site.
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| During the tour of the site |
Mick Schilling (CSWDC’s Environment, Health and Safety Advisor)
provided an overview of the EfW plant operation prior to a tour of the site. The
3,500 tonne bunker that receives the waste in the waste vehicle tipping area
would be able to sustain operation of the site for six days (from the bunker
being full until empty). The EfW plant uses three incinerator units each of
which is capable of incinerating 12 tonnes of waste per hour. Two steam
turbines produce a total of 17.6 Mw of electricity. Flue gas cleaning ensures
strict emissions limits are met. Emissions to atmosphere are through a 92 m
high chimney.
Site
visits provide students with the opportunity to discuss a variety of wastes
management treatment processes directly with facility operators. This enhances
knowledge and understanding for all those that attending, providing further
areas for discussion in lectures.
