Bio-energy and bulk materials handling specialist Saxlund International has been working with Hope to install and commission new firing plant covering storage, transportation, weighing and injection of solid waste fuel (SWF) for both of the site's kilns.
Hope projects engineer Richard Worthington says that Saxlund's new plant will divert 80,000 tonnes of bulk solid waste from landfill each year.
"The completion of this multi-million pound project increases the amount of waste-derived fuels we use and forms part of the major investment we announced in January to boost efficiency and improve sustainability at Hope Works," states Worthington.
The goal, he says, was to increase the rate at which Hope can replace fossil fuels with waste-derived alternatives to more than 50% – a key part of the company's long-term sustainability targets.
The project incorporates a 350m3 fuel reception and push-floor storage plant, reclaim conveyors, process tower with drum magnet and star screen, together with a weighing and pneumatic injection system for the main burners.
Matt Drew, managing director of Saxlund, says the system facilitates stable and reliable process conditions to help minimise build-up in the pre-heater tower.
It is also future-proof, he says, explaining that the new plant has the flexibility to handle changing fuel characteristics, including different types of waste-derived fuels, should suppliers change in the future.
Just as important, the installation has been designed with low maintenance and high availability in mind – minimising any potential for restrictions and blockages.
For example, the state-of-the-art push-floor fuel bunker ensures 'first in, first out' fuel delivery. Key maintenance areas, where possible, are also external to the system to minimise disruption.
"Once fully operational, the new SWF system will run on a 24/7 basis, delivering fuel at a rate of up to 5,000kg per hour to each kiln," says Drew.