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A test programme is being developed for a new waste-to-energy gasification plant that is under construction in the south of England. The plant will use biomass fuel, sourced locally from both the commercial and industrial sectors, and will make a significant contribution to the UK’s renewable energy mix.
“The plant is being developed by a leading energy provider from Europe,” says Service Leader, John Galbraith, who is heading the test project team. “The client contacted NEL and we are now in the process of drafting a test protocol and procedures for demonstrating the plant’s performance. The work will involve a mix of testing, witnessing and demonstrations of the plant’s operability.”
NEL’s testing programme will be crucial to the successful delivery of the plant because, before it can be handed over to its eventual owner, there are several performance guarantees that must be met. The tests will prove that this has been done.
“The thing that makes it an interesting project for us,” says John, “is the fact that the plant will use processed, pelleted fuel for the gasification process. This technology has significant handling and efficiency benefits over the use of unprocessed fuel, so it will be fascinating to see how it functions and performs.”
“We have extensive experience of working in this sector and have successfully completed projects at a number of major energy-from-waste facilities around the UK,” John adds. “For example, we have provided Reliability and Performance Guarantee Testing for Veolia Environmental Services, Hitachi Zosen Inova and Keppel Seghers.”
NEL has the capabilities to assess multiple performance characteristics of energy facilities, including reliability, thermal capacity, waste throughput and environmental compliance with the Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU. All testing is carried out in accordance with FDBR, European and British standards.
