IT in Manufacturing


Innovative recycling process increases sustainability of waste-to-energy

Technews Industry Guide: Sustainable Manufacturing 2023 IT in Manufacturing

Global software and technology leader Emerson is helping the Swedish cleantech company HaloSep to optimise its unique process that turns hazardous incinerator flue gas residue from waste-to-energy plants into usable materials. Emerson’s control technology and software is being deployed at HaloSep’s plant for optimisation, research and technology (PORT) in Gothenburg, Sweden, to manage an innovative chemical separation process that recovers valuable salt, metals and minerals from fly ash. By providing an alternative to landfill disposal, the HaloSep process increases the sustainability of the waste-to-energy industry.

Recovering materials from difficult waste streams is an important contribution to greater circularity. There are over 2600 waste-to-energy plants worldwide, with a disposal capacity of approximately 460 million tons of municipal waste annually. About 2-5% of the incinerated waste becomes flue gas residue known as fly ash, which is a hazardous material containing contaminants such as heavy metals, chlorides and sulphates. Millions of tons of fly ash are currently transported to landfills by truck, rail or sea, which is both costly and unsustainable.

“Due to the irregular nature of household waste, fly ash produced from incineration has varying properties requiring different separation processes. Our PORT plant will analyse fly ash samples from around the world, test specific separation processes, and demonstrate circular economy benefits to potential customers,” said HaloSep president Staffan Svensson. “Emerson’s technology and expert advice on implementing automation throughout the plant has played a vital role in optimising these processes, which when deployed, will help increase the sustainability of the waste-to-energy industry.”

Emerson designed and implemented a scalable control system architecture at the PORT facility and worked closely with HaloSep to develop unique separation sequences to efficiently recycle fly ash with variable compositions. Emerson’s DeltaV distributed control system is ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the separation processes. In addition, DeltaV Live software is providing high-performance human machine interfaces for operators, with key performance indicator-led dashboards providing intuitive reporting and management and supporting optimised decision making and operational performance.

“Emerson is committed to helping our customers in industries such as plastics, lithium-ion battery manufacturing and waste-to-energy generation, to meet today’s growing industrial, processing and energy demands through sustainable innovations that minimise environmental impact,” said Nathan Pettus, president of Emerson’s process systems and solutions business. “Emerson’s technologies and expertise are designed to handle the complexity of HaloSep’s recycling process.”

HaloSep, a subsidiary of the Stena Metall Group, provides an on-plant solution that can be built locally at a waste-to-energy plant or placed at sites where fly ash from smaller plants is consolidated, eliminating long-range transportation costs and emissions.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Compact valve position indicator
Emerson Automation Solutions Valves, Actuators & Pump Control
Emerson’s new TopWorx DVR Switchbox is an entry-level addition to the DV Series of valve position indicators. It combines a durable resin enclosure, compact size, and a patented cam design that provides a reliable valve position feedback for water and wastewater systems, food and beverage production lines, and industrial utilities.

Read more...
Development of motor control units for automotive industry
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
SEDEMAC has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software, which is used in the development of its motor control units and engine control units. The motor control units are used in EVs, hybrids, ebikes and power tools, while the engine control units are used for off-road and on-road engines.

Read more...
Cybersecurity and cyber resilience – the integrated components of a robust cyber risk management strategy
IT in Manufacturing
Organisations continuously face numerous cyberthreats in today’s digital landscape, and while many prioritise cybersecurity to safeguard digital assets, their strategies for cyber resilience often become neglected.

Read more...
Sustainable last-mile delivery electric trucks
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Workhorse Group, an American technology company focused on pioneering the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industrial software as it builds electric trucks for sustainable last-mile delivery.

Read more...
South Africa’s role in the AGI revolution
IT in Manufacturing
AI has found its way into general conversation after the emergence of large language models like ChatGPT. However, the discussion is increasingly turning to the search for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which could entirely change the game.

Read more...
Predictive asset performance management with ABB Ability Genix
ABB South Africa IT in Manufacturing
The ABB Ability Genix APM suite is a comprehensive asset management platform powered by AI, IIoT and model-based predictive data analytics. This enables a paradigm shift towards a more proactive and predictive asset management approach.

Read more...
Intelligent automation primed for $47 billion revenue by 2030
IT in Manufacturing
According to GlobalData, the intelligent automation market is set to grow from $18 billion in 2023 to $47 billion in 2030, driven by advancements in AI, particularly the rapid adoption of generative AI.

Read more...
Chocolate manufacturing with Siemens Xcelerator
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Freybadi, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in Indonesia and a trusted supplier of chocolate in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and African regions, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software to optimise its manufacturing and production processes.

Read more...
A CFO’s guide to unlocking the potential of gen AI
IT in Manufacturing
CFOs of leading global organisations understand that their role extends beyond mere financial oversight; they are pivotal in steering organisation-wide transformation, particularly in the realm of technological advancement.

Read more...
Higher level cybersecurity certification for Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IT NMC3 platform has obtained a new and higher level of cybersecurity certification, making it the first data centre infrastructure management network card to achieve SL2) designation from IEC.

Read more...