About MBT
Mechanical Biological Treatment with wet Anaerobic Digestion (MBT+wAD)
Clarke Energy is the sole distributor for the HAASE MBT and AD process in the UK and Ireland. The HAASE MBT process gives the following benefits:
- Reduces landfill
- Produces renewable fuels
- Stabilises waste
- Low capital and operational costs
- Recovers recyclables
- Non-thermal technology
The HAASE MBT process employs the state of the art Wet Anaerobic Digestion process +wAD. This fully enclosed fermentation technique is used to “stabilise” the organic fraction in the waste and to produce renewable energy. In doing so effectively and economically it diverts active biodegradable waste (BMW) from landfill and helps to reduce green house gas emissions as a consequence of this practice in compliance to EU Landfill Directive. In contrast to conventional composting techniques, where large amounts of precious energy resourse is used to stabilise the organic material, the HAASE MBT+wAD process releases biogas, a clean renewable fuel out of the biodegradable waste.
Converted to electricity and heat, in the CHP plant, biogas is used to power not only the fermentation process but also the entire facility with surplus exported to the general community. Setting aside sustainability principles and the clear environmental benefits, revenues from the sale of this valuable power play a significant part in reducing the cost of MSW treatment.
Compared to dry AD process, issues such as abrasion, erosion, material transfer and process stability are resolved with this wet fermentation process. The HAASE MBT +wAD is a more flexible, efficient and robust technology. The stabilised organic residue from the digesters – a “compost like” material – can be used as landfill cover, or for land remediation. Once dried it will form a low calorific value carbon neutral RDF fuel similar in energy content to that of brown coal.
At the Lüebeck HAASE MBT +wAD plant an innovative wet oxidation (aeration) stage beforedrying allows the digester output to meet the stringent German legislation for landfilling biodegradable material. Aerobic treatment in the wet phase allows such post-treatment without the large expense, space and power requirements associated with vessel composting systems.
Large treatment capacity, low landtake, exceptionally low emissions, flexible yet low in capital and operational costs, the HAASE MBT+wAD system diverts valuable resources from landfill. The plant is powered entirely by green renewable energy and exports surplus. All these points are benefits of the HAASE MBT+wAD system. The +wAD in HAASE’s MBT marks the future in sustainable MSW treatment.
Why MBT
Luebeck MBT plant - the standard for MSW treatment
HAASE Energietechnik AG has set new standards in MSW treatment with the design of the Luebeck plant. The HAASE MBT+wAD is not just an improvement on an old theme – but a leap forward in “Sustainable” environmentally responsible MSW treatment. It is an efficient, dependable process offering large treatment capacity on a modest footprint. The process is fully enclosed and results in exceptionally low emissions.
The highly efficient conversion of biogas to power allows the facility to be powered entirely by renewable energy. Exported surplus green renewable energy uniquely contributes to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The HAASE MBT+wAD plant has a negative carbon signature which means it helps to reduce carbon emissions to the environment. HAASE MBT+wAD engineering sets new standards for sustainable environmentally responsible MSW treatment.
Efficient, effective and clean
Every year 150,000 tons of mixed municipal solid waste – collected from the Luebeck area – is processed in this plant. Built on a modest 3-hectares of land the HAASE MBT+wAD displays an enviable low “landtake” to throughput ratio. The mechanical pre-treatment separates valuable metals for recycling, organics for treatment at the AD and refines nonrecyclable paper and plastic into approx. 60,000 tons per year of high calorific value refuse-derived fuel (RDF), diverting this valuable energy resource from wasteful landfilling.
40,000 tons per year of the RDF generated in Luebeck are forwarded to a community heating plant at the neighbouring city of Neumuenster. That replaces approx. 15,000 tons of fuel oil per year – enough to heat 7,500 homes. Wet anaerobic digestion converts the organic waste into biogas. Residues from the digestion are further stabilised by wet oxidation (aeration) and dried to meet the stringent German legislation for landfilling.
Water used in the HAASE MBT+wAD is recycled within the process with excess treated at the HAASE membrane water treatment plant to clean water. The VocsiBox® treats all ventilation and process air before it is released to atmosphere maintaining an extremely low level of emissions and odours. 1.9MW of renewable electricity and 2.3MW of heat are generated using the biogas from the AD process – there is enough renewable energy to power the entire plant and export surplus to the wider community.
HAASE MBT+wAD – the ideal solution for implementing sustainable, decentralised, community focused, Waste Management Strategies.
Greater Manchester Waste PFI Contract
Clarke Energy and Haase are working to develop 3 MBT facilities for the Greater Manchester Waste PFI project. Clarke Haase are part of Viridor and Laing’s joint bid for the largest PFI contract in the UK. The Haase MBT process will divert waste from landfill and produce sustainable fuel sources to help contribute to the city’s work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Reference list
Click here to download a PDF of references.