The permit documents state that once operational, the facility will produce Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) for the nearby Energy Works Hull energy recovery facility (ERF).
The plant – which was granted planning permission in July 2019 by Hull City Council – will “also operate as a MRF for household, construction and industrial waste destined for recovery at other sites”.
Planning permission was granted on the condition that development of the plant begins within three years of the decision.
A spokesperson for Geminor said it could not comment on the application at this stage.
Process
The permit document explains that the proposed activities will comprise the storage and physical treatment of waste by sorting, separation, screening, shredding and baling (and wrapping) for further recovery or disposal.
The site will process mixed municipal waste (non-hazardous) to produce refuse derived fuel
It reads: “The site will process mixed municipal waste (non-hazardous) to produce refuse derived fuel (RDF) for transfer by road to the nearby Energy Works Hull energy recovery facility (ERF).
“The site will also operate as a MRF for household, construction and industrial waste destined for recovery at other sites.”
Storage
The facility will store up to 680 tonnes of incoming waste a day, and Geminor proposes to clear all incoming waste piles by the end of the working day, though to provide a level of flexibility its application suggests the maximum storage time will be up to 72 hours.
While an Environmental Risk Assessment concluded the proposed application was unlikely to result in a significant accident risk or risk to the amenity of the local environment or human health, it suggested that the fugitive release of odour from the facility would require further management and mitigation methods to ensure sufficient control.
To this end, Geminor has provided a separate odour management plan as part of its application.
Consultation
The Environment Agency is seeking comments on the environmental permit application. These can be provided here.
The deadline for submissions is 5 February.
Gasification
The development of the nearby Energy Works Hull ERF to which RDF will be supplied has seen some difficulties, with engineering firm Black & Veatch appointed in April 2019 to oversee the completion of the facility (see letsrecycle.com story).
The move came after the facility’s developers terminated the engineering, procurement and construction contract with MW High Tech Projects UK in March 2019, citing significant delays (see letsrecycle.com story).
Once operational, the energy from waste plant is expected to process 240,000 tonnes per year of RDF, using gasification to convert it to energy.
Subscribe for free