Ince Resource Recovery Park

The Development Concept

The power plant at Ince is envisaged to produce approximately 95MW of electrical output by burning approximately 600,000 tonnes per year of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF).

Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) is a generic term which is used to describe fuel that is produced from household waste, and in the case of the Ince Resource Recovery Park, the RDF will be produced through the process of Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT).

Once the solid waste has been through the MBT process, in which the elements of the mixed waste are separated into their components, such as glass, metals, stone, organics and RDF. The RDF component is essentially made up from a combination of paper, plastics, wood and other combustibles which are present in everyday household waste.

The RDF component of the waste has the most energy and can be burnt to produce electricity; because the RDF has been pre-treated through the MBT process it provides a much better fuel than untreated municipal waste. The RDF is a much more consistent fuel than untreated municipal waste, it is not as wet and many of the contaminants, such as heavy metals which are present in electronic equipment and batteries will have been removed. The RDF is also relatively odourless which allows it to be transported easily and stored for much longer periods than raw waste.

The MBT process strongly influences the RDF produced and through this production process it is possible to control some key parameters.

Moisture: The moisture content of RDF can be controlled by varying the time the waste spends in the bio-drying section.
Ash Content: The mechanical separation can be adjusted to remove more or less fine material therefore controlling the ash content. Ash will be removed during the MBT process so that the RDF produced has a small ash content.
Heavy Metals: By reducing the amount of electronic and electrical equipment taken in before the MBT process the amount of heavy metals can be minimised. Also further heavy and other likely pollutants can be minimised through the use of Flue Gas Treatment (FGT).
Metals and stones: These will be removed during the MBT process and the content within the RDF fuel is minimised.

As much of the energy content of RDF is renewable, electricity produced from the combustion of this fuel will contribute significantly to the region’s renewable energy targets 95MW of electricity produced by the renewable power plant will account for approximately16% of the North West’s required renewable energy target. Replacement of non-renewable energy schemes with renewable schemes such as this will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated in the area as a result of electricity production.

Click here to view an illustration of the RDF process >>

Click on the image below to view an illustration of the RDF process.