Increased energy efficiency by optimization of the separation processes in waste incineration plants by means of Gemini

Germany has one of the highest recycling standards in the world. Nevertheless, enormous amounts of waste accumulate that cannot be recycled - i.e. cannot be reprocessed. For this type of waste, combustion is a sensible and environmentally friendly solution that also contributes to the energy transition, as it produces electricity from renewable energy sources. However, the combustion process produces large quantities of dust, which must be filtered out of the exhaust gas. One established solution are electrostatic precipitators (ESP) that remove dust and aerosols from exhaust gases. They consist of housings containing electrodes and strong electrostatic fields to generate a plasma to accelerate the electrically charged particles which are then deflected from the gas stream and collected on the precipitation electrodes. From there, the collected particles are removed from the electrostatic precipitator and then transported to landfills. In the power plant of the GMVA (Gemeinschafts-Müll-Verbrennungsanlage Niederrhein), enormous improvements in waste gas purification, as well as energy savings, could be achieved with the help of this process.

This contribution provides an insight into the real process of exhaust cleaning and the optimisation possibilities with the new controller generation “Gemini”. Direct comparisons of the regulation process show an enormous reduction in dust levels.