Waste to Energy Solution - The Sludge Treatment Facility in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong

Abstract

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is the owner and project proponent of the Sludge Treatment Facility (STF), a facility dedicated to treating sewage sludge. The Contract to design, build and operate the STF was awarded to VW-VES (HK) Limited (a subsidiary of Veolia), and Jacobs China Limited was appointed to act as the Employer's Representative in October 2010. The construction of the STF was substantially completed in 2015 and it was put into operation on 1 April 2015. The STF, featuring state-of-art incineration technology, provides for a sustainable sewage sludge treatment solution, with a view to maximizing the reduction on disposal of the sludge to landfill. In consideration of the diminishing landfill space, the STF is designed to have a capacity of treating 2,000 tonnes per day, thereby reducing the mass of the sludge by 90%. The STF is also on another green mission - to convert waste into renewable energy harnessing the heat from the incineration process to generate electricity, resulting in the provision of all power for the daily on-site operations, with the design allowing the export of surplus power to the local grid. The STF also includes facilities for the production of both process and potable water as well as being able to treat all waste water for use on-site. This adopted design makes the STF a self-sustainable facility with no incoming water supply and outfall for wastewater. As well as the abovementioned technical aspects, the STF serves as a community facility. An environmental education centre located inside the STF showcases the technology used within the STF to convert waste-to-energy, and also to promote public awareness of various environmental issues in Hong Kong. There is also a diverse range of recreational and open areas (e.g. spa and garden) for the public to experience the benefits of waste-to-energy. Since the opening of the EEC on 29 June 2016, the number of visitors has exceeded 72,000.