Why emissions matter

Our environmental permits give us clear guidelines on how to protect the environment while balancing human activity and conservation.

At LondonEnergy, we are dedicated to keeping the environment clean for the benefit of both current and future generations. We take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of our operations and ensure a sustainable future.

Emissions impact human health, the atmosphere, and the environment. Because of this, management and control of emissions is hugely important. The site is permitted under fixed levels for all the emissions we produce, to air, land, and sewer. These levels are decided through scientific research, aimed at keeping our impact as low as possible whilst still being able to carry out our operations in diverting waste from landfill. Due to the importance of emissions, we put extremely high value on our monitoring programmes, to ensure we remain within our scientifically determined limits as best as we can.

How we monitor emissions: Air Quality Management

The site has continuous emission monitoring Systems (CEMS) that measure concentrations of all permitted pollutants and provides live data and feedback.

How we monitor emissions: Effluent water Discharge

The site conducts both internal and external third party sampling and monitoring to ensure process visibility against appropriate consents.

How we monitor Emissions: Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) Quality and compliance

The site conducts bi-weekly sampling to ensure residue quality is of a standard appropriate for further treatment prior to use in aggregate.

Emissions Explorer

Our activities are closely regulated and monitored by the Environment Agency, ensuring our emissions to air, water, and land are within limits.

We’re required to report all emissions we produce, and for key emissions, we monitor them every minute to maintain the highest standards.”

Discover the types of emissions we monitor:

What is it?

Particulate matter (PM) in relation to combustion refers to the tiny solid or liquid particles that are released into the air when materials are burned. These particles can vary in size, composition, and origin

Its Impact?

PM can settle on water and soil, leading to acidification of lakes and streams, nutrient depletion in soils, and damage to sensitive forests and crops

Main abatement technologies used at LondonEnergy

Polluted air or gas enters the baghouse and passes through filter bags made of fabric or synthetic materials. As the air flows through these bags, particulate matter is trapped on the surface or within the fabric, preventing emission to air.

What is it

In incineration processes, nitrogen oxides (NOx) are significant pollutants formed primarily through two mechanisms:

Thermal NOx: Produced by the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen in the air at high temperatures.

Fuel NOx: Generated from the oxidation of nitrogen compounds present in the waste being incinerated.

It’s Impact

NOx contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone and particulate matter, which can cause respiratory problems and other health issue. The pollutant also reacts with water, oxygen and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form acid rain, which can cause harm to ecosystems.

Main Abatement Technologies used at LondonEnergy

Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) abatement is used at Londonenergy. SNCR reduces NOx emissions by injecting ammonia or urea into the combustion chamber at high temperatures, causing a chemical reaction that converts NOx into nitrogen and water.

What is it?

During incineration, most of the organic carbon is converted to carbon dioxide (CO2), but some remains in the solid residues such as bottom ash, boiler ash, and air pollution control residue.

The Impact

Organic carbon compounds can participate in photochemical reactions with nitrogen oxides (NOx) to form ground-level ozone, a key component of smog.

Main Abatement Technologies used at LondonEnergy

LondonEnergy manages its combustion conditions to ensure effective thermal oxidation of organic compounds.

What is it?

Hydrogen chloride (HCl) emissions in incineration are primarily produced from the combustion of chlorine-containing materials being present in the waste stream.

The Impact

HCl can contribute to the formation of acid rain, which can harm ecosystems, soil, and water bodies

Main Abatement Technologies used at LondonEnergy

HCl is controlled by LondonEnergy in the following way: Hydrated lime (Ca(OH)₂) is injected into the flue gas stream. The lime reacts with HCl in the flue gas to form calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and water (H₂O). The resulting residue is captured in the sites bag filter units.

What is it?

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and to a lesser extent sulfur trioxide (SO₃), are produced during incineration through the combustion of sulfur-containing materials in the waste stream.

Impact

SO₂ and SO₃ can react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), contributing to acid rain.

Main Abatement Technologies used at LondonEnergy

As with HCl, these pollutants are controlled by LondonEnergy in the following way: Hydrated lime (Ca(OH)₂) is injected into the flue gas stream.

What is it?

Ammonia can be formed as a byproduct of incomplete combustion of nitrogen-containing materials in the waste. In Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) processes used to reduce NOx emissions, ammonia or urea is injected into the flue gas. If the reaction is not complete, unreacted ammonia, known as “ammonia slip,” can be emitted

The Impact

Ammonia can deposit onto land and water bodies, contributing to nutrient pollution. This can lead to eutrophication, where excessive nutrients cause algal blooms that deplete oxygen in water, harming aquatic life. Ammonia can also contribute to soil and acidification, affecting plant growth and soil health.

Main Abatement Technologies used at LondonEnergy

Optimisation of the Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) abatement ensures no Ammonia slip take place at the abatement plant. Continuous emission monitoring ensures a balance of compliance between oxides of nitrogen and ammonia emissions to air.

What we’re doing to control emissions

Safety, quality, and sustainability are our top priorities. We comply with rigorous regulations set by the Environment Agency and Thames Water to control emissions across multiple categories.

We use advanced methods to calculate energy use and associated Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Our GHG emissions are assessed according to DEFRA’s Environmental Reporting Guidelines, including the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) requirements, using 2020 emission conversion factors from DEFRA and BEIS.

Understanding emissions

Monitoring emissions tracks sustainability progress, ensures regulatory compliance, and reduces emissions for a cleaner, healthier future.

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Visit the EcoPark to see how we transform waste and monitor emissions, shaping a sustainable future.