Landfills are the oldest and most common form of waste disposal. However, they have always been a contentious environmental issue. Waste to Energy provides an answer to this problem and helps with our ever-increasing energy needs.

Reduction in landfill waste by 90%

Left with no treatment, landfill sites produce large quantities of greenhouse gases, especially methane gas, which is recognised to be even more damaging to our atmosphere than carbon dioxide. They also contribute to smog and have been linked to worsening health problems, such as asthma. Waste to Energy reduces these levels to below agreed legislative levels, so they are much less harmful to the environment.

Produces and stores energy for flexible usage

As a replacement for fossil fuel, Waste to Energy can store the energy it produces, making it a flexible support for increased demand during times of higher energy requirements.

Resource Recovery

Waste to energy allows recovery of valuable resources such as metals after incineration. They can be sent for recycling, and this is also true for mixed materials. Incineration burns materials such as plastic away, and leaves the metals behind.

Better Alternative to Only Incinerating Waste

Waste to energy is a better alternative than traditional waste disposal, where the waste is only burnt. With waste to energy, it generates much demanded electricity instead of just burning waste.

How Delta Mobrey assists

Manufacturing process instrumentation equipment enables Delta Mobrey to control the flow of liquids or gasses. For Waste To Energy technology, Delta Mobrey’s Hydrastep measures the level of steam and water within the boiler, making the boiler not just run efficiently and safely but to produce the right amount of steam to maximise the levels of electricity ultimately produced.

For more information on Hydrastep please see our technical product pages.

We have a diverse range of switches, transmitters, gauges to suit your specific needs, click onto our products page to browse more.

About Delta Mobrey

For more than 100 years, Delta Mobrey Limited has been a world-leading specialist in the design and manufacture of quality process instrumentation for the measurement and control of fluids and gases in all industrial plant and equipment.

Trusted quality – proven value: quality and reliability have always formed the cornerstone of our success, recognised by industry with international approvals covering every aspect of our manufacturing and product portfolio, together with certifications spanning all areas of hazardous and regulated environments.

Global team – local support: as a global organisation, Delta Mobrey is totally committed to delivering the best possible customer service and technical support, ensuring a lifetime value of ownership, together with a flexible and responsive approach to meet our customers’ individual demands.

Green energy generation often uses steam as a method of generating energy. Biomass, concentrated solar power, geothermal energy, and other forms of energy utilise this method. Knowing the balance of water and steam contained within the boiler is essential for safe and efficient running of the entire plant.

Delta Mobrey has years of experience in monitoring the levels of steam and water so that boilers operate safely. Hydrastep has been designed specifically to monitor boiler levels, irrespective of industry, in the simplest and most reliable manner. This makes Hydrastep a compelling option for steam based plants seeking streamlined and efficient operations. Hydrastep gives the confidence of knowing that water tub boilers are protected from low water levels and their turbines are protected from water run over.

The Combustion Engineering Association, CEA, asked Delta Mobrey to contribute to their most recent guidance document, BG11, because of the reputation that Hydrastep has earned over the years. While BG11 gives guidance on the design, operation and maintenance practices relevant to the UK, the practices highlighted are of benefit globally, as their basic premise is safety and efficient boiler operation. BG11 includes guidance on control systems and instrumentation of the boiler systems. The guide explains that maintaining the correct boiler drum level is critical. If the water level is too low, there is a risk of damage to the boiler drum and tubes, as well as overheating. If the level is too high, water can reach and damage the superheaters, or eventually the turbines. BG11 states that “there are many technologies available to measure and control steam drum levels and triple redundancy whilst mixing technologies is becoming commonplace.” The guide explains the need for a usual indication of the drum level and that is a requirement of both BS EN 12952 and the ASME boiler and pressure vessel code. Traditionally, sight glasses were used, but these are difficult to read and often require maintenance. BG11 cites Hydrastep as giving a clear display, both locally at the drum and in the control room, and is the preferred solution for steam drum level indication (P26).

Hydrastep was originally developed with the UK’s CEGB. Using conductivity probes positioned along a vertical water column gives a highly reliable method to differentiate between steam and water. The level display can be repeated in the control room and is immediately visible to operators without having to look at monitors.

Alarms of trips can be assigned to chosen levels. The dual redundant design means that even with an internal fault, the Hydrastep will continue to give a drum level indication. BG11 refers to Hydrastep as having exceptional reliability because of this (p. 26).

Delta Mobrey’s Hydrastep is being used in several green energy plants within the UK and further afield in Europe. Hydrastep is becoming the choice of plant operators to ensure the safety of the plant and personnel.

About Delta Mobrey

For more than 100 years, Delta Mobrey Limited has been a world-leading specialist in the design and manufacture of quality process instrumentation for the measurement and control of fluids and gases in all industrial plant and equipment.

Trusted quality – proven value: quality and reliability have always formed the cornerstone of our success, recognised by industry with international approvals covering every aspect of our manufacturing and product portfolio, together with certifications spanning all areas of hazardous and regulated environments.

Global team – local support: as a global organisation, Delta Mobrey is totally committed to delivering the best possible customer service and technical support, ensuring a lifetime value of ownership, together with a flexible and responsive approach to meet our customers’ individual demands.

By 2027, the waste to energy market is expected to be valued at 50.1 billion US dollars, with further growth being expected. Financial focus is being shifted away from fossil fuels and to focus on more renewable forms of energy.

Waste to energy (WTE), is where waste is burnt at high temperatures which is used to heat water in a boiler. The steam created is used to turn turbines, which generate electricity. Detailed planning is needed to ensure the integrity of the process and to ensure safety. Waste to energy has been viewed with concern because of the emissions released from the facility. While many pre-incineration processes, such as the removal of ferrous metals, have reduced the amount of pollutants emitted, the economic viability of the process has been questioned.

New incinerators meet stricter regulations on pollution to reduce further the emissions. Improved process methodologies and newer technologies are allowing for further development of this energy option, looking at achieving economic viability.

Regional Growth

The waste to energy industry has had significant growth in Europe, with China and Japan becoming increasingly interested in developing this form of energy. Increasing government funding for municipal solid waste management along with growing awareness of waste to energy in countries such as India, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand are expected to push regional market growth.

There are over 400 waste to energy facilities within Europe, and another 300 across the globe. 75 (as of 2023) are in the US, divided mainly between New York and Florida. However, rapid expansion is liked as the rising industrial and domestic waste is prompting regional governments to promote energy generation from waste.

In waste-to-energy, Germany, the UK, and Italy are the most engaged countries in Europe. There are currently about 100 waste incineration plants in Germany alone, with a workforce of 6,000 and total annual capacity of about 20 million tonnes. The UK and Italy are looking to expand further.

Waste Reduction Ratio

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, there is a one ton reduction in greenhouse gases for every ton of solid waste. The energy production is being investigated further to ensure economic viability. The US Department of Energy made the following recommendation in August 2019, and this has been implemented in most facilities across the world.

“Reduce operating costs and increase revenues in existing incinerator facilities. These opportunities include advanced emissions control strategies to lower costs associated with environmental compliance, development of novel corrosion-resistant materials to reduce maintenance costs, and advanced separations to recover valuable materials from ash.” – Office of Energy – Efficiency Renewable Energy Report August 2019.

Continued Development

Continual development of the process, such as the removal of ferrous metal, demonstrates the fluidity of the waste to energy process. As technology progresses, adjustments can be made to improve the levels of efficiency within the plant, and also in the production of energy via steam.

Process instrumentation plays an important role in the operation of any such plant, and Delta Mobrey has already worked with several waste to energy plants. We have provided expertise and solutions needed to keep such plants in operation. Delta Mobrey’s Hydrastep system has been used in many waste to energy plants to monitor the boiler drum interface levels and ensure their safe operation, while pressure and temperature instruments measure other critical parameters.

Like most new technologies, there is continual development focused on making this method of energy production both financially and environmentally viable.

About Delta Mobrey

For more than 100 years, Delta Mobrey Limited has been a world-leading specialist in the design and manufacture of quality process instrumentation for the measurement and control of fluids and gases in all industrial plant and equipment.

Trusted quality – proven value: quality and reliability have always formed the cornerstone of our success, recognised by industry with international approvals covering every aspect of our manufacturing and product portfolio, together with certifications spanning all areas of hazardous and regulated environments.

Global team – local support: as a global organisation, Delta Mobrey is totally committed to delivering the best possible customer service and technical support, ensuring a lifetime value of ownership, together with a flexible and responsive approach to meet our customers’ individual demands.