Anaerobic Digestion Facility

Anaerobic Digestion Facility

Wiltshire 18 August 2016
Project

The Operator processes food waste by treating and digesting a wide range of waste feedstocks. Wastes are treated to remove packaging and other non-digestible contaminants, to create a liquor which his subjected to anaerobic digestion. This digestion process produces methane which is used to generate electricity by combustion in the on-site gas engines for export to the National Grid.

What We Did

Enzygo are tasked with providing on-going regulatory support to the client to assist them in complying with their Environmental Permit. This support has included preparation of permit variation applications, preparation of an Environmental Management System and providing training to employees on the Environmental Management System.

Environmental Permit Application Variations

Enzygo’s Permitting team successfully applied for use of an additional engine to enable the client to increase the amount of energy exported to the National Grid, thereby improving profitability of the facility. This involved upgrading their existing Standard Rules Permit to a Bespoke Permit and required production of supporting technical documentation and management of the Application process. A further Variation Application was submitted to enable the use of an ‘Organic Rankine Cycle’ heat recovery unit, which uses heat lost in the engine flues to generate a secondary source of electricity, further increasing export to the National Grid without any increase in waste throughput or biomethane generation.

Environmental Management System

Enzygo’s Permitting Team produced a bespoke EMS to enhance environmental performance and demonstrate compliance with permit conditions. The EMS was produced to site-specific standards of operation and within the scope of ISO14001: Environmental Management Systems. Enzygo also developed training for operatives and site management to ensure that the new standards of the EMS were adhered to. This provided additional reassurance to our client’s Directors that a high standard of environmental protection will be achieved during day to day operations.

Regulatory Support

Enzygo’s Permitting Team has provided on-going regulatory support across a wide range of topics including Pollution Inventory Reporting and training, BAT assessments, liaison with Environment Agency, advice compliance with Environmental Regulations, guidance and policy.

What We Achieved

Enzygo’s Permitting Team explained to the Regulator how the ORC technology worked, as they were not familiar with this, and demonstrated that the technology would not lead to any increased emissions from the site. Enzygo’s training has ensured that employees are aware of the responsibilities placed on them by the Site’s Environmental Management System.

Further Work

Enzygo continue to undertake permitting and planning work within the anaerobic digestion sector for new and existing clients, using its experience in this sector in undertaking new applications and providing appropriate advice.