When planning an environmental project to eliminate polluting emissions at a production plant, the questions that may arise during the purchase decision process can be numerous: regarding compliance with the current legislation, price, operating costs, warranty, etc.
Based on our experience, we have compiled on this post the most relevant factors to consider if you are planning a project to eliminate pollutant emissions.
- Legal requirements and regulatory framework that apply according to sector of activity.
The environmental impacts of the industry are one of the main objects of EU legislation. It is not only important but mandatory that companies comply with current environmental legislation. In this sense, the main European directives are 2010/75 on industrial emissions and 2015/2193 on combustion plants, among others. Each company must take into account in which sector it is active and what legal requirements its specific sector of activity require.
- More than fully adapting to current regulations.
Environmental regulations are subject to great changes worldwide and are increasingly stricter and harsher. Therefore, a purpose of the project must always be that the environmental limits go beyond those established by current laws. In short, it is about preventing the project from becoming obsolete in a few years.
- Initial investment.
Once the commercial offer is received, a first provisional balance must be drawn up, financial capacity evaluated and a global planning of financing needs carried out. The project will range in price depending on the production process needs of the customer, the sector in which they are active, the necessary auxiliary equipment, whether energy recovery is feasible, etc.
- Operating costs.
The operating costs of the environmental project is obviously one of the main aspects that a company considers when carrying out an emissions treatment project. Regarding operating costs, the energy consumption of gas, electricity, compressed air, water, etc. must be taken into account. In any case, and due to the fact that several gas treatment technologies such as RTO (Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer) can obtain energy recovery, this becomes a very good option to control and reduce operating costs and thus achieve greater profitability.
- Best Available Techniques (BAT).
When it comes to an environmental project, it is recommended that the company planning the project goes to the official sources of environmental information such as the European Commission BAT (Best Available Techniques) documents. These documents are prepared by groups of experts of the European Commission in order to guide companies in their application of the best tecnhology available for their production sites.
- Analyze the various technologies available.
There are a large number of technologies for eliminating polluting gases and that provide several environmental advantages, such as Regenerative Thermal Oxidation (RTO), Regenerative Catalytic Oxidation (RCO), scrubbers, baghouse filters, cryocondensation, etc. The most appropriate technology according to the project will depend on the study carried out by the environmental expert company.
- Advice and technical support from beginning to end of the project.
It is important that the company planning the environmental project is advised at all times and is helped by an environmental technology provider throughout the process of negotiation, engineering, installation, start-up, as well as once the project is finished. Hence it is important to count on an experienced engineer within the environmental technology provider who can solve any problem, make any necessary changes, know the technical details, etc. and to provide you with the much needed technical support.
- Project planning.
The company willing to carry out the project must be aware of the project planning to establish the bases of the specific environmental management system for those points considered sensitive.
- Possibilities for further equipment upgrading.
If the production site was to be expanded in the future, perhaps an upgrade of the environmental equipment will be necessary as well. In this sense, the company has to take into account the costs and benefits of the expansion project and evaluate its feasibility. The level of investment in working capital is also very important.
- Location of the emissions treatment unit within the production site.
The most logical and convenient thing is that the gas treatment equipment is close to the water, gas and power supply. However, since the project can be custom-made, the expert environmental management company will place the equipment in the most suitable location within the customer’s production plant according to the customer’s specific needs.
Besides everything mentioned above, an aspect to take also into account is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which implies guiding the actions of a company based on the management of the impacts generated on society in general. Hence, companies manage their activity not only with the evident business ambition for profit and profitability, but also taking into account their influence on aspects such as economic and social development, sustainability and the environment.
In short, there are many aspects to take into account when planning and deciding to install a technology project for emissions treatment. Apart from the aspects previously described, the most important thing is to be able to count on a technological partner that provides you with confidence and the latest best technology available, to make your production site a safe place for people and for the environment.
If you are interested in obtaining further technical details on this topic or learning more about Tecam environmental solutions for emissions treatment and waste valorization, please contact us – we will be happy to help you: +34 93 428 11 54 or info@tecamgroup.com
