BCB Gasification Project Archive

we have listed our previous project items below

Gasification Project Archive 2008

Tockwith Energy from Waste Plant

Download the official Environmental Statement prepared in conjunction with the formal Planning Application from HERE

Official artist's impressions of the proposed BCB Gasification plant please click here

Latest news

22 December 2008

A brand new report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers highlights the imperative to find environmentally sound solutions to the problem of waste disposal and to consider the sustainable (environmental, social and economic) benefits of energy from waste.

Each year the UK produces over 300 million tonnes of waste per year - enough to fill the Albert Hall every two hours. With growing environmental awareness on the part of the public, landfills - the traditional solution to dealing with waste – are no longer regarded as acceptable, with the result that we could shortly be up to our necks in waste with waste, and apparently, few options for tackling the problem. Recycling is seen as the way to do this, but this is simply not the case if: there is no demand for the recycled materials; more energy is consumed and more greenhouse gases are emitted in the recycling process than would be used to manufacture a new product; and we don’t actually recycle but instead just sort the waste into piles of different materials and then ship those piles overseas with no control over what happens to them after that.

As the public begins to feel the impact of global energy price rises, the UK needs to quickly find sustainable and secure sources of energy, using reliable, well-proven technologies. And to have any chance of minimising the impacts of global climate change, countries such as the UK must finds ways to meet their material and energy needs whilst rapidly and significantly cutting their greenhouse gas emissions.

Can we realistically tackle the dual problems of waste disposal and sustainable energy? Yes. We can change our perceptions of waste and its disposal, contribute to our battle against climate change and help meet our needs for affordability and security of energy supplies.

In recent years the Institution of Mechanical Engineers has been advocating that waste should not be regarded as a problem to be ‘dealt with’ but as a valuable resource which could help us meet our national and regional environmental targets and commitments.

For the full report, click HERE [pdf format 2Mb].

Energy from Waste: A Wasted Opportunity?

14 November 2008

The design team is currently hard at work finalising the detailed design. This design now addresses a number of issues that were raised against the original planning submission including (but not limited to) the adoption of air-cooling rather than water cooling, a brand new building rather than the conversion of the existing, dilapidated hangar, and the capability of outputting hot water to a district heating scheme. The design will be finalised by Christmas.

Detailed and extensive testing of the new design will be undertaken in the USA in December. Under the scrutiny or our technical team, a blend of materials matching precisely the projected waste mixture will be processed and all operating parameters will be subjected to independent monitoring. This will generate the scientific proof necessary for the permitting process and will be shown to the regulator in advance of the formal Permit application.

BCB announces technical change of direction

17 October 2008

The Environment Agency raised an objection to BCB’s original planning application based on abnormal operation. This occurs when critical plant components fail and flue gases escape to atmosphere unabated. The Waste Incineration Directive calls for a stack high enough to prevent any compromise to air quality standards during a 4 hour abnormal operation shutdown phase. We took a twin track approach to this problem: by determining the necessary stack height to meet the abnormal operation criteria on the one hand, and on the other of setting our engineers the task of eliminating the possibility of this type of abnormal operation.

At a design summit in Switzerland last week, the combined engineering talent s of three companies resolved a radical re-design to our gasification process that entirely eliminates the possibility of unabated emissions. Our gasification technology now shuts down in minutes and captures all the gases created during that brief shutdown phase. So we find ourselves in technical conflict with the Environment Agency over a technical feature that is no longer pertinent to our technology. However, the re-design has raised issues with other broad design aspects such as building size, location, etc., etc. Therefore, it made no sense to continue the debate with the EA and a decision was made to discontinue the current planning application and submit a new application in tandem with an Environmental Permit application to the EA.

BCB will submit a new planning application for its gasification project in January 2009.

For the full document, click HERE [pdf format].

Fire incident

14 Oct 2008

At lunch time on Tuesday 14 October there was a small fire in the Green Hangar. Occasioned, we suspect, by an electrical fault, the blaze occurred in a solitary drum. The entire event from ignition to departure of the fire brigade took little more than one hour. Commenting on the incident, Operations Manager Mike Wilson said:

It is recognised that fire is the major risk in a Hazardous Waste Management facility. Several similar facilities have experienced fires in the last few years and were either destroyed or damaged to the extent of remaining closed for months if not years. BCB evacuated the hangar, dealt with the incident and was back working within 90 minutes. That gives me immense pride in the robustness of our facility, the integrity of our design and management infrastructure, and the competence of my team. Nonetheless, this is a black mark for us and we will be working hard to understand the cause of the ignition sequence and to ensure there can be no recurrence.

For the full press release, click HERE [pdf format].

UPDATE:
This incident is now the subject of a police investigation. Foul play is suspected

FEY endorses BCB gasification plant

11 August 2008

BCB has received robust support from Future Energy Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Forward subsidiary. In a formal letter to the Planning Authority (link to attachment) YEF independently and authoritatively underlines the strategic benefits – both regionally and locally – of the BCB gasification project.

For the full document, click HERE [pdf format].

Technical Update

1st May 2008

The technical team has recently met with the Environment Agency and received clarity on their issues with regard to the objection to the planning application. It has been agreed that the objection will be removed once the technical concerns of the EA are met and we have engaged the services of, arguably, the UK’s leading expert in this field to deal with this matter. This should see a relatively speedy resolution of the issue and the original overall project timetable remains unaffected. One or two minor concerns from the other statutory consultees are similarly being dealt with to the satisfaction of all parties.

We are not aware of any other objections that have any relevance to the planning process and planning law. Much is being made of technical matters that are peripheral concerns to the planning process; non-pertinent objections that will be properly dealt with in the permitting process that will follow successful planning. It is the intention of the company to appoint a main contractor in the next week or two and its first order of business will be the preparation of detailed design. Once detailed design is completed, the company will then be in a position to submit an application to vary its existing Environmental Permit.

HIGH-TECH ENERGY FROM WASTE PLANT SECURES EQUITY FUNDING

28th March 2008

BCB Environmental Management Ltd (“BCB”) announces today, March 28, that its parent company, AWP Environmental Ltd (“AWP”) has secured £6m of equity funding from Foresight Group, a leading investor in unquoted companies, for its proposed £18m energy from waste (EfW) plant at Tockwith, North Yorkshire.

please click here to download the pdf

or click here to read the full document on the press release page

The company today released the following press statement in response to the formal conclusion of the public consultation phase

26th March 2008

Response to planning objections please click here to download the pdf

BCB Project Management Team injects a note of caution

6th March 2008

The BCB planning application has received a technical challenge from an unexpected quarter – none other than the Environment Agency itself. The basis of the objection raised is highly technical and the company’s initial reaction is that it is not aware of any guidelines that substantiate the opinion expressed. The matter has been referred to the company’s air dispersion specialists for review and, should the basis of the EA technical objection be accepted, an engineering/design fix will be implemented to deliver compliance.

The company stresses that its whole approach of no significant environmental impact has not been challenged and the worst case scenario here is a somewhat taller emissions stack.

EA objection please click here to download the pdf

Further endorsement for the BCB Efw project:

4th March 2008

The following endorsement was received from Natural England:

Protected species
We are pleased to note that a survey for bats was carried out (Appendix 9.3 of Environmental Statement). We note that the existing hangar building has no potential for bat roosts, and that although bats were recorded flying inside the building, this was opportunistic and not a critical feeding habitat. We therefore concur with the conclusion of the survey that the proposal is not likely to have any significant impact on local bat populations, and there is no requirement to seek a licence in this instance.

The ecological assessment noted breeding birds in the area around the building. As breeding birds, their nests and eggs are afforded general protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), we support the mitigation measures set out in Appendix 9.2 regarding provision of alternative habitat, and removal of trees and shrubs outside of the bird breeding sason (March to August).

Designated sites
Only one statutory nature conservation site, Aubert Ings Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), lies close to the application site. However, we note that the modelling for nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide emissions shows concentrations of both compounds on the SSSI well below 1% of National Air Quality Strategy standards for semi-natural ecosystems. This also is the case for the various non-statutory wildlife sites in the vicinity of Tockwith. We concur with the view expressed in the Environmental Statement that stack emissions from the proposed waste facility will not have a significant effect on the SSSI and non-statutory sites.

Landscape
The propsal is for the re-use of an existing building on an established industrial site, and does not lie within any designated landscapes. We are of the opinion that there are no significant landscape issues associated with this development.

In conclusion, Natural England raises no objection to the proposal as set out in the application and supporting documents.

Critical endorsement for the BCB Efw project:

3rd March 2008

The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly has delivered a ringing endorsement for the BCB gasification project. In a five page written response in the capacity of statutory consultee, the Assembly concluded:-

The Assembly SUPPORTS (sic) the application in principle on the basis that it will assist in the implementation of both current and draft RSS (regional strategies), in terms of environmental and economic considerations
The development is supported in principle by the Assembly as helping to implement both current and draft RSS waste policy
This development is supported in principle by the Assembly as helping to implement the RSS by providing renewable energy generation

The report further recorded its pleasure that the project developed a brownfield (currently derelict) site, offered positive economic benefit and demonstrated no significant traffic impact.

Normally publicly reticent on the subject, we chanced our luck and approached Phil Boardman for a comment. His response:

“Am I surprised that the Regional Assembly has endorsed the Project? Absolutely not. But I am delighted to see a formal authority recognising the positive benefits that underpin this initiative. I have a problem with community leaders – locally, regionally and nationally – who shy away from association with a politically sensitive development like this.

Whilst this is politically understandable, where I fall out with them is when they fail to communicate both the regional and national imperatives that are driving developments like this (across the country). That, and the fact, they are happy to let poor Mrs Watts of Prince Rupert Drive fear for her health knowing full well that the country has very stringent legislative safeguards that make any such notion inconceivable.”

For the full report, click HERE pdf format.

Changing the Public’s Perception of ‘Energy from Waste’

26th Feb 2008

The case against the proposed BCB Gasification plant as extolled by the objecting residents of Tockwith village is based around fears on health grounds.

The link below points to an interesting article that covers the subject – as well as the other environmental advantages EfW projects bring. We would remind readers that we are proposing the cleanest implementation of thermal treatment (for waste) the UK has ever seen and that we have a confidence in the technology based on the real world trials we have conducted on the Iceland prototype.

for more details click HERE

Hands on report from Iceland pilot plant

19th December 2007

Mike Wilson – BCB’s Senior Operation’s manager – is just back from an exhausting visit to the Planet Advantage pilot plant at Husavik in Iceland. He was so excited at the positive outcome of the trip we felt it worth posting his comments on the website.

The purpose of the trip was to process an equivalent trial waste batch modelled on the kind of recipe we anticipate blending into the Tockwith plant. So we had a mixture of industrial/commercial, MSW, and hazardous materials (tins of paint, oil filters, oily rags, etc.). The trial went like a dream – the plant took the blend in its stride and I have now no doubts whatsoever that this is the right technology for BCB. Amazingly, and it wasn’t until a neutral observer from another potential Planet client pointed it out, the Husavik plant has only some of the abatement technology that we are proposing on our plant to meet the requirements of our rural ambience but yet was still meeting the emission limits of the Waste Incineration Directive. This is fantastic news. The environmental footprint is in a league not seen in thermal treatment previously in the UK – perfect for BCB, perfect for Marston Business Park. It’s one thing being told about the capabilities of the technology and quite another seeing it perform in front of your eyes.

We will publish Mike’s written report together with a few stills when he’s had some sleep.

BCB Gasification Project - update on formal planning submission

12th November 2007

BCB has today made a formal planning application to North Yorkshire County Council in support of its Gasfication Project. This site will shortly feature a detailed section on this exciting development. In the meantime, click here to view the Environmental Statement which addresses all the planning/environmental issues required by the statutory consultees (including the residents of Tockwith village).

BCB £18M GASIFICATION PROJECT

20th Aug 2007

Managing Director Phil Boardman had the following comment for us:

have been on record for some time with the opinion that the UK needed to embrace advanced thermal treatment technologies for the safe and environmentally sound disposal of hazardous waste given the effective elimination of landfill as a viable option.

Conveniently, in the course of our two year search for the Best Available Technology, the agenda for landfill diversion of all waste and the need to develop alternative, sustainable energy resources has converged. The gasification technology we have settled on is, in our opinion, the most robust and flexible option to meet the needs of BCB and lead the way to a cleaner world.

Our project – uniquely – is designed to provide an optimal disposal option for much of the hazardous (and non-hazardous) waste we handle on a daily basis but also, happily, offers the capacity to dispose of up to 40,000 tonnes per year of municipal waste. This is seriously good news for the York/Wetherby area as it goes a long way to providing the necessary capacity to meet looming landfill diversion targets. Since North Yorkshire appears to be drifting towards adopting yesterday’s technology and building a giant incinerator (most definitely not Best Available Technology), it may even be that we can draw a huge line in the political sand locally that will benefit future generations.

The project timetable spans 24 months and we will be posting significant milestones as they are passed.

BCB PROPOSES £18M SCHEME TO TURN WASTE INTO POWER.

20 August 2007

Waste disposal company BCB Environmental Management is proposing to invest £18m in innovative new technology to turn waste into power at its site on Marston Moor Industrial Estate at Tockwith, near York.

The new Advanced Thermal Treatment plant will be housed in one of the company’s existing 29,000 sq ft unit on the industrial estate. It will use a simple, proven process that combines gasification and oxidation to totally destroy waste, while recovering significant amounts of energy as a by-product.

The energy produced – an estimated 10MW – will be enough to run about 10,000 homes. BCB will use what it needs to run the plant and the surplus will be sold to the National Grid. The electricity generated will count towards the UK’s target for the generation of power from sustainable sources.

The process - based on a tried and tested USA design – mirrors a development in Dumfries, which is due to come on-line in 2008 and is expected to provide the simplest, most cost-effective and reliable system of its kind in the world.

It will also permit the recovery of metals without their contamination by any toxic ash. In addition, residual heat produced during the process could be used to heat residential or industrial developments in Tockwith.

BCB, which has been operating at Tockwith for the past 10 years, currently handles about 18,000 tonnes of hazardous and non-hazardous waste a year. Under the new proposals, hazardous waste would constitute only 25% of the materials handled. The rest would be household rubbish that would previously have been sent to landfill, after the kerbside removal of all recyclable material (about 40 per cent of the total collected).

The Managing Director of BCB, Phil Boardman, commented: “This is an innovative carbon-neutral scheme which will increase employment on the site and benefit the environment by reducing the amount of waste going to landfill. By generating power from sustainable sources, it will also help to reduce the amount of electricity produced from carbon fuels.”

He added that the only residue from the new plant would be inert ash and the process would not produce any toxic emissions.

BCB has initiated a major public consultation process to inform residents of the area about the plans and will give them an opportunity to question the company about the scheme at a public meeting.

For further information, please contact:

Martin Dale, Plaza Consultancy Tel: 01709 325500

Simon Mountford, Simon Mountford Communications Tel: 07836 279685

NOTES TO EDITORS

BCB Environmental Management (“BCB”) is the only company of its kind in the region which operates under an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) permit, the highest-level of certification. This means that emissions are below guidelines set by the European Union.

Advanced Thermal Treatment of waste is significantly different from and more efficient than incineration as it takes place in the absence of oxygen and at much lower temperatures. In this treatment, waste is heated to produce gas, which is oxidised to produce heat. The heat is used to produce steam, which in turn powers a turbine that generates electricity.