SUEZ operates a number of energy-from-waste (EfW) facilities across the UK alongside wider recycling, reuse and waste management infrastructure. These operations play an important role in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and recovering value from non-recyclable waste, while maintaining high stands of environmental compliance and asset reliability.
EfW processes involve high temperatures, corrosive materials and water systems contaminated with ash. Accurate and reliable measurement and instrumentation are therefore essential to maintain operational efficiency, protect equipment and ensure compliance.
Feed water systems supply water to the boiler to replace what is lost as steam during the process, with strainers used to filter out particulates and protect downstream components. Monitoring pressure on either side of each strainer allows the team to spot blockages early.
SUEZ replaced an existing differential pressure (DP) transmitter setup with the VEGABAR 81, an electronic differential pressure instrument with metallic cells that proved resistant to the chemical conditions in the feed water system. The result was a setup that was both more reliable, more cost-effective and a better fit for the application.Following incineration, the non-combustible solid residues that remain, known as bottom ash, consist of the mineral portion of the burned waste, including inert materials such as rocks, glass and ceramics, as well as metals that do not volatilise at combustion temperatures, like aluminium and copper. Rather than disposing of this material, it is processed to extract and recover value from it, removing pollutants and reusing what can be salvaged through a water-based extraction system.
Previous guided wave radar solutions required frequent cleaning due to build-up of ash and debris. SUEZ implemented the VEGAPULS 6X, a non-contact 80 GHz radar, removing the need for probes in the medium. This removed fouling issues and reduced maintenance requirements.In process water pits used to manage ash-laden water, previous hydrostatic level measurement were prone to caking and required regular maintenance, which is a big maintenance burden in a busy operational environment.
The VEGAPULS C 21 non-contact radar sensor was installed to measure from above the pit without any contact with the medium. This approach eliminated sensor fouling and significantly reduced maintenance. Remote monitoring via the VEGA Tools App also improved operational visibility and reduced the need for manual checks.Across these applications, SUEZ identified improved reliability, reduced maintenance requirements and easier integration into existing systems. Access to technical support and ease of commissioning were also key factors in the implementation.