Southwest
Environmental LimitedSouthwest
Environmental Limited| London |
| 02076 920 670 |
| Exeter |
| 01392 927 961 |
| Manchester |
| 01612 970 026 |
| Bristol |
| 01173 270 092 |
Incinerator abatement are the "bits" that are stuck on to the "exhaust pipe" of the incinerator to clean up the "smoke".
When waste is burned, there are various combustion products formed, which will leave the incinerator via the flue. The incinerator abatement methods differ depedant on the waste being burnt. Below is an example for waste wood (both untreated and chip boards).
1. Clean Burning - Before we get started on the abatement proper it is worth noting that the flue gases will have been made as clean as possible by efficient combustion of the waste. The dirtier the flue gas on exit from the incinerator the harder the abatement system will have to work.
2. Recirculation - Recirculation of flue gases can be part of the abatement process. Whereby flue gases are possessed back through the secondary combustion chamber (for diagram of an incinerator please see How to Build an Incinerator ), where extra heat is added to reduce pollutants such as NOx.
3. Urea Based Additives can also be injected in to secondary combustion chamber to reduce NOx.
4. Flue gas cleaning can be carried out using Sodium Bicarbonate Injection, to control acid forming gases.
5. Bag filters remove particulates.
6. Activated Carbon Filters remove volatiles such as furans & dioxins.
7. Quite often a fan is required to pull exhaust gases through this abatement system.
The above incinerator abatement system might be suitable for a fairly small incinerator burring under 3 tons per hour. For larger incinerators the bag filters (by example) might be replaced with cyclones.
Much as with other forms of air abatement, it is possible to set up a test rig to check the abatement system meets requirements of permit limits prior to spending a lot of money of the real abatement system.
Rules for Small Incinerators in UK
Incineration of Waste in the UK
Effective incinerator abatement is a critical requirement for any waste-to-energy project. While the primary combustion process is designed to be as clean as possible, the residual flue gases must undergo rigorous treatment to meet modern air quality standards. The selection of abatement technologies depends heavily on the specific waste stream, with specialized configurations required for materials such as waste wood, clinical waste, or municipal refuse.
Modern abatement systems typically involve a series of physical and chemical stages designed to neutralize pollutants before they reach the stack. These "end-of-pipe" solutions are essential for satisfying the emission limit values set out in the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).
The design of an abatement system must be validated through detailed atmospheric modeling. This technical evidence is a prerequisite for securing an environmental permit from the Environment Agency or local authority. By modeling the dispersion of treated emissions, developers can ensure that the facility maintains local air quality neutrality and does not negatively impact sensitive human or ecological receptors.
Navigating the complex requirements for small waste incineration plants (SWIP) or larger municipal facilities requires specialist insight. Our team links technical design evidence with a robust Air Quality Assessment to provide a clear route to consent. With over 900 projects delivered across the UK, SWEL offers the professional accreditation (IES/MIAQM) and technical authority required to ensure your facility meets the highest standards of environmental compliance. From the initial incinerator design phase through to final operational testing, we provide comprehensive engineering and regulatory support.
Our consultancy ensures that your project remains resilient to evolving legislative standards while delivering a high level of operational efficiency and environmental protection.