Report: Operational experiences and legal aspects of co-combustion in Germany

From 2000-2001, a project entitled "Analysis of effects on environment from waste incineration in industrial facilities" was undertaken by Prognos AG. The project was funded by the German Environmental Agency and the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry for Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. This paper presents a summary of the main results. The most important industrial processes with practised waste-to-energy are identified, respectively cement kilns, steel works, installations in the non ferrous industry and large combustion plants. The amount of waste being co-incinerated is determined in permitting procedures. In general the volume of permitted and practised co-incineration is increasing in Germany. For the greatest possible use of waste it is necessary to establish suitable measures to prevent or to limit, as far as possible, environmental pollution. Emission limit values are determined according to the requirements set out in the German Standards, 17th BImSchV and TA Luft. Plant operators meet generally the air emission limit values fixed in the respective granted permits.