Even during the planning of the waste utilization plant, aspects for ecological protection allowances were made. This foresight is reflected today not only in the general facilities but also in many small, and large, details. A selection of such engineering measures, as well as other measures taken for the protection of the environment, are listed below:
Recapturing heat from numerous heated elements
- Interim cooling of the flue gases and pre-warming of the boiler storage water;
- Heat-transfer system for heating the flue gases prior to entering the de-nitrification installation, and the subsequent cooling down to the correct temperature needed for discharge through the smokestack;
- Heat-exchange between the outgoing and incoming air in the technical ventilation installations;
- Heat-return from the cooling oil of the two turbo-generator set-ups.
Water-recirculation in the flue-gas washer
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The water that has already been used is treated and reintroduced into the cycle.
Generating electricity with the crane used in processing the wastes
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In the waste bunker, every downward movement of the 5-ton crane-claws is braked by switching the drive motors to generator mode, thus generating electricity. The electrical current that is produced in this manner is fed back into the electrical grid.
Sound-protection measures for the reduction of noise emissions:
- Noise-dampening housing for the turbines;
- Noise absorbers on the suction-draught ventilators
- Encasement of the air condensers with noise baffles to deflect the sound.
Groundwater protection measures
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Special groundwater protection measures in the waste bunker, compost storage and bio-filter areas (for example two-ply foil cover seals, with inter-foil space control).
A gas rather than an oil burner for lower SO2 and CO2 values in the flue gas
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A gas burner was previously used for the intermediate heating of the flue gases prior to entering the catalyst in the de-nitrification unit. Since 2004 natural gas has been replaced with high pressure steam. CO2 emissions have been substantially reduced.
Setting up nesting and hatching boxes for birds on the façades of buildings
Nesting boxes on the waste-fired power plant
Measures taken for the conservation of the countryside
The AVA GmbH was built upon a suitably large site. Approximately 20% of this property has been designed as natural landscape. With the acquisition of further land, the percentage has risen to 36 percent.
Among other measures taken, the noise and visual protection wall located on the west side of the property has been planted in such a way that the trees and bushes will be able to develop into a forest with no additional human intervention.
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Built-up area
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4,3 ha
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Traffic areas
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10,9 ha |
Green landscape
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8,6 ha
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| Total area of the AVA GmbH |
23,5 ha
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Environmentally-friendly removal of the slag by rail
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Rail wagon scales
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- The spacious and well designed traffic access roads and the railway connection, enable the quickest and safest possible handling of the broad range of transport-related tasks. The AVA GmbH is connected via the local railway to the German Railway in Augsburg.
- The slag is removed by rail in an environment-friendly system. At the same time of course, delivery of wastes to the plant by rail is equally possible in the same environment-friendly way.
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Modern Environmental Technologies in the Information Centre
The information centre of the AVA GmbH is fitted with modern environmental technology:
- Toilets with rain-water flushing
- Ground-water thermal pump
- Ventilation using a heat recovery system
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