Rosenbauer Brandschutz Deutschland wins huge incineration plant contract

by Featured NewsIndustry SectorsWaste & Recycling

Rosenbauer has been commissioned to plan and build stationary fire protection systems for the Wiesbaden waste incineration plant, which is currently under construction, marking its largest order in history

The order covers all extinguishing equipment in the reception area with a large waste bunker in which up to 7,500 m3 of waste can be temporarily stored. Eleven deluge and four turret extinguishing systems will be installed, among others. Rosenbauer said that the latter was also decisive in winning the contract because Rosenbauer is the technological leader in this field.

The new waste incineration plant, which will go into operation in 2024, is being built to efficiently incinerate waste collected in the Wiesbaden region – while maintaining the best possible environmental and energy balance.

Around 200,000 tons of municipal and commercial waste per year can be utilized thermally with the plant, and around 100,000 MWh of district heating and around 150,000 MWh of electricity can be generated from this via a combined heat and power system to supply Wiesbaden’s households and to operate the power plant.

As a sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels, it is hoped that the waste incineration plant will make an important contribution to CO2 savings and also supply the city’s commercial vehicles and buses with green hydrogen in the future if, as is currently being reviewed, the plant is expanded to include electrolysis.

 There are currently over 60 waste incineration plants in Germany with a total annual capacity of around 20 million tons. Waste is used as a cheap energy source in refuse-derived fuel power plants and in cement works, coal-fired and industrial power plants after prior processing, but few of them are equipped with the best possible fire protection technology like the future waste incineration plant in Wiesbaden.

A number of new, replacement, and expansion plants are planned, for example to absorb the residual waste volumes that are currently still being incinerated in coal-fired power plants, which will no longer be possible after the planned coal phase-out in 2038.

Rosenbauer added that it sees good sales opportunities for its stationary fire protection solutions in the future as well, above all the highly efficient turret extinguishing systems.

Lithium-ion battery fires costing UK economy £158 million a year

by Industry SectorsProjectsWaste & Recycling

Research carried out by Eunomia Research and Consulting has revealed the huge financial implications of Lithium-ion battery fires to the UK economy.

Their research found that fires caused by Lithium-ion battery fires cost around £158 million annually to waste operators, fire services and the environment.

The batteries, which are often not disposed of properly, can be found in most household items, however, many householders are unaware of the risks.

The study also revealed that 201 waste fires occur every year in the UK. The fires are known to cause extensive damage, and they are a particular risk when exposed to high tempreature or punctured during the waste disposal process.

Lithium-ion battery fires
Mobile phones contain Lithium-ion batteries

Commenting on the research, lead author of the report Sophie Crossette said: “The findings of this research highlight the significant financial burden Li-ion battery waste fires place on the waste sector and public sector services. To date, much of the focus on preventing waste fires has been on improved controls and infrastructure at waste sites.

“As this report suggests, we now need to focus on upstream interventions to divert batteries and WEEE products from the mixed waste stream to tackle this growing issue. If we don’t start to take action now, the increased use of Li-ion batteries, will only increase the cost and impact of Li-ion battery waste fires in the years to come.”

Lithium-ion battery fires could increase

The study also claims that with more batteries coming on to the market each year, the problem is only going to get worse.

To tackle the risk of Lithium-ion battery fires, the report suggests that banning Li-ion batteries from the residual and mixed recycling waste streams, or introducing a deposit return scheme (DRS) for batteries could reduce the risk in the future.