MHIEC Receives First Order for Newly Developed Energy-Independent Sewage Sludge Incinerator from the Tokyo Bureau of Sewerage -- Integration with Binary Power Generation System Results in Major Contribution to Energy Savings and Curbing of Global Warming

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. (MHIEC) has received its first order for a newly developed energy-independent sludge incinerator consisting of a binary power generation system (note) incorporated into a conventional sludge incinerator. This configuration enables the incineration equipment's power needs to be met entirely through the use of waste heat. The order was placed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Sewerage, which provided the technical certification for the system. Plans call for the new incinerator, which has a processing capacity of 250 tons per day (tpd), to be completed by March 2020 at the Shingashi Water Reclamation Center in Itabashi-ku, Tokyo. Widespread adoption of this innovative apparatus going forward is expected to contribute significantly to energy savings and the curbing of global warming.

The energy-independent sludge incinerator was developed through a joint research program, conducted with participation from manufacturers of sewage-related plants. The project sought to expand the use of renewable energy as part of 'Smart Plan 2014' the basic energy plan established by the Tokyo Bureau of Sewerage in June 2014. The incinerator is seen as an groundbreaking technological advance that substantially reduces incinerator emissions of N2O (Nitrous Oxide) -- which has close to 300 times higher global warming potential (GWP) than carbon dioxide (CO2) -- and also reduces CO2 emissions caused by the electricity and fuel normally needed to incinerate sludge.

MHIEC's innovative technologies integrate a fluidized bed type incinerator equipped with M-COM, the company's proprietary fluidized combustion optimization system, and a high-efficiency binary power generation system -- a combination that simultaneously enables energy savings and low CO2 emissions, as well as reduced N2O. In M-COM, the incinerator's combustion is optimally controlled by monitoring the combustion state according to a variety of measurement criteria. In the binary power generation system, heat transfer oil, which has a stable track record, is adopted as the waste heat recovery source that feeds the system. Compared to systems that generate electricity using boilers and steam turbines, the binary power generation system achieves significantly higher power generating efficiency. Together these new technologies enable electricity consumption at reclamation centers to be reduced.

The newly received order represents phase 2 of a project to reconfigure the sludge incineration facilities at the Shingashi Water Reclamation Center. The new incinerator will be built to replace the existing, outdated incineration equipment. Besides the incinerator and power generation system, the order also calls for installation of equipment relating to dewatered sludge supply, heat exchange, ash treatment, white plume prevention and flue-gas treatment.

MHIEC took over MHI's technological development capabilities in sludge treatment, along with its abundant expertise in the construction and operation of related facilities, in 2006. Today, based on its solid track record MHIEC is in a prime position to propose comprehensive solutions incorporating all aspects of plant construction and operation.

Leveraging the technical certification of its energy-independent sludge incinerator by the Tokyo Bureau of Sewerage and the receipt of the first order for these facilities, MHIEC will proactively propose measures for saving energy and curbing global warming at sewage sludge treatment plants, aiming for further expansion of orders.

(note) In this system, power is generated by a turbine that is rotated by gas generated by heating and vaporizing a medium with a low boiling point. The system takes its name from its use of binary (two) heat cycles: one based on a heat source and the other on a medium. The system is also used in geothermal power generation, etc.

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