Close or modernize?
Built in 1972, the waste-to-energy plant at Saint-Pantaléon de Larche treats 60,000 metric tons of household waste a year. Since 1984, the steam produced there has been supplying local industry and providing heating for municipal greenhouses. Considered to be out-of-date, the site is threatened with closure. But in 2013 its operator, SYTTOM 19, hands responsibility for its modernization and operation to CNIM for a 10-year period.
Greater energy efficiency, less pollutant emission
The first of its kind in France, CNIM installed VapoLAB® - a high-performance, dry treatment of flue gases using lime. The generated steam is brought into contact with the recirculated, unused reagent, boosting the reagent activity. An innovative and economical process, it limits the use of reagents and also improves environmental performance. A complementary process, TermiNOx®, reduces the nitrogen oxides without requiring additional ammonia and eliminates gaseous dioxins.
A new 2.2 MW turbo generator is added to the existing thermal cycle, producing electricity that can then be used to recover all of the steam produced at the plant.
Optimized energy efficiency
The replacement of wet flue-gas treatment with an innovative dry system was carried out in 2014, followed a year later by the installation of the new turbo generator. As a result, the site met the three criteria required for a reduction in the TGAP, a French tax on polluting activities. Emission of NOx gases is less than 80 mg/Nm3 – an energy performance coefficient of 60%, and certifications were achieved for ISO 14001 and 18001 standards.
With an annual production of 12,500 MWh, the plant now provides electricity for 1,800 homes.