Comparison between T-park in Hong Kong and incinerators in Taiwan
The Bali Incinerator Plant
Built in 2001 in Bali District, New Taipei City, the Bali Incinerator Plant was designed to serve 2 million residents in the area. With all 3 incinerators working, they can incinerate a total of 1350 tonnes of waste every day.
Power Generation
-Waste is systematically collected in garbage trucks and their masses are weighed.
-The waste is burned in the incinerator.
-During burning, steam is produced by the heat recovery boiler, which is used to drive a steam turbine.
-Electricity is generated. The steam is then cooled down and condensed to liquid.
Waste Treatment and Emission
-Flue gas passes through a series of treatment such as the multi-cyclone, the dry reactor and the bag filter. It is emitted after being tested.
-The slag, fly ash and reactant product left after incineration are removed of most harmful materials and then transported to landfills.
-Wastewater is treated in the wastewater treatment plant.
On-site Facilities
-environmental-friendly wooden house
-hiking path built with waste produced from incineration
-organic farming area
-heated swimming pool
-aquaponics area in which plants and fish live in the same system
-guided tours are available upon reservation
T-Park
Located at Tsang Tsui, Tuen Mun and opened in May 2016, T-Park is the first self-sufficient sludge treatment facility in Hong Kong. It combines a variety of advanced technologies into a single complex: sludge incineration, power generation, desalination and wastewater treatment.
The “Waste to Energy” Approach
-1,200 tonnes of sludge is produced every day which is a mud-like by-product of sewage treatment.
-Adopts a thermal technology known as “fluidised bed” incineration
-After incineration, the volume of sludge is reduced by 90%.
-During the incineration process, the heat generated is converted to electricity to support facilities in the park.
-Surplus electricity is exported to the power grid
Zero-Wastewater-Discharge Policy
-wastewater is treated and reused for irrigation, flushing and cleaning purposes.
-houses a seawater desalination plant that produces fresh water
-rainwater is collected for non-potable use.
On-site facilities
-a wide range of recreational, educational and ecological facilities
-a garden with over 9,800 square metre of outdoor landscape
-a roof garden
-a reinstated sanctuary which is the habitat for wildlife
-three spa pools using the waste heat energy recovered from the sludge incineration
-a gallery for visitors to view the operations of the facility through designated windows
-a seawater distillation plant
-guided tours are available upon reservation.
Comparison between Bali Incineration Plant and T·PARK
Different Stakeholders’ Perspectives
We have interviewed two stakeholders about their opinion towards incineration technology. Let’s find out what they think!
Topic: incineration in Hong Kong
Interviewee: Miss Ho(vice principal), a Tuen Mun resident and geography teacher
Q: What is your attitude towards T-park?
A: Positive
Q: What are the advantages of building an incinerator in T-park?
A:
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Advanced technology ->no toxic substances released to the environment
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Volume of the waste is reduced by 90%->lowers landfill pressure
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Stink produced is filtered
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Generates electricity for the residents nearby->convert waste to energy
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Sea water obtained from Deep Bay is converted into clean and portable water ->water resources for T-park’s self-sufficiency (e.g. spa, irrigation)
Q: Do you support the construction of incinerator in T-park? Why?
A: Yes
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Major public concerns(e.g.air pollutants, toxic substances) can be solved by the advanced technology->nothing to be worried about
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T-park is located at the west of residential area while wind usually blows from the West to the East -> residents won’t be affected
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The public can understand more about the concept of ''Waste to Energy”->raise the public awareness of environmental issue
Q: What do you think about the prospect of the development of incineration technology in Hong Kong?
A:
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If capital, technology and land are available, incineration can be further promoted
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In the long run, incineration would be a good way to cope with the waste problem as landfills will be full very soon
Topic: Incineration in Taiwan
Interviewee: Mr. Chan, a volunteer of Tzu Chi Foundation, Taiwan
Q: Do you support the incineration in Taiwan?
A: Yes
Q: Do your think there are a lot of people who oppose the construction of incinerators?
Why?
A: No
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They have gained a better understanding in incineration technlogy now
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No stink has been released from incinerations
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The public’s daily lives and health are not affected by incineration
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They have found incineration a good way to cope with the large amount of waste
Q: What is the usage rate of the incinerators in Taiwan?
A: It has been lowered as the government advocates the use of recycling method to deal with waste, which greatly reduces the amount of waste in Taiwan.
Conclusion
After collecting views from the professionals of the two targeted cities, we have found that incineration technology can bring more good than harm indeed. In addition, the public acceptance towards incineration technology is quite high.
Whether More Incinerators Should Be Built?
The government proposed to build Integrated Waste Management Facilities (IWMF) in Shek Kwu Chau, in which incineration will be the core treatment technology. The plan, however, has been confronted with voices of opposition.
Reasons of opposition of the public:
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Requires reclamation->poses potential threats to animals in the surrounding area
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Requires high cost
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Worries about the potential emission of toxic substances and air pollutants
Analysis
To point (3), problems can be solved by high technology as mentioned above
To point (2), the constructed incinerators are for long-term uses and fit the principle of sustainable development so it is worth considering
HOWEVER
To point (1), sometimes negative effects on the environment are unavoidable. This can be minimized by a good choice of site. The construction of incinerators in Shek Kwu Chau might not be the best choice as Shek Kwu Chau is a habitat of Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoises, a species globally vulnerable to extinction. Also the reclamation project may affect the habitat of Chinese White Dolphins.
In comparison, the construction of incinerators in T-park can make the best use of land to cope with the waste problem while minimizing the negative impacts towards the environment, as it does not require reclamation. Hence, the construction of incinerators in T-park is indeed a feasible project to deal with the waste problems in Hong Kong and therefore, we highly support it.
Things we could learn from Taiwan
1. Develop more incineration plants
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this can greatly alleviate the pressure of the landfills
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a sustainable waste treatment method
2.Invest more resources in long-term environmental protection policies
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investigate into the feasibility of implementing domestic waste charging
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increase the scope of the Source Separation of Domestic Waste Programme
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set up long-term waste reduction goals and bring up related policies or facilities needed to achieve the goal
3.Education on environmental protection
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citizens should have more knowledge about the technology of incineration
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encourage citizens to reuse and recycle materials
→a stronger sense of environmental protection
→bear their responsibility of protecting the environment spontaneously
4.Provide free visits for schools and citizens
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increase their knowledge regarding the technology of incineration
→increase their acceptance towards the technology
→less opposition against the construction of incineration plants
Conclusion
Taiwan government did a great job in waste treatment and environmental protection. The incineration plant is advanced and well-developed. It effectively alleviates the pressure of landfills in a safe and sustainable way. To solve the pressing problem of the saturation of existing landfills, the Hong Kong government should put more efforts in developing sustainable waste treatment facilities as well as educating the public. Hong Kong people should not blindly oppose the construction of incinerators without considering the long-term benefits it brings.
On the other hand, the Taiwanese are doing the recycling and reusing works spontaneously. The determination of safeguarding the livable environment of Taiwan is obviously seen. Compared to the Taiwanese, Hong Kong people are not engaged in environmental protection work as actively as them. Since Hong Kong people have a living style with a fast pace, the importance of protecting the environment is sometimes neglected. We throw rubbish away without considering to recycle them as it seems to be more convenient, thus bringing tremendous pressure to the landfills. The fundamental solution to improve the environment is to minimize the waste we produce. Small actions like recycling, reusing products can contribute to the environment a lot. A small change can make a great difference. With the support of government policies and the cooperation of the community, the environment of Hong Kong can be kept clean.
The goal of creating a better environment cannot be achieved by saying, but by action. From today onwards, let us step forward and act green. As long as we all protect the environment whole-heartedly, we believe that a beautiful Hong Kong can be seen in the near future.