In order to handle a wider variety of waste contaminated with waste plastics, Biffa recognised the need to implement modifications to their process machinery to enable the plant to handle new material.  Biffa approached Opensoft Systems to carry out the control changes required to the Strain Press Equipment, integral to the handling of this waste stream.

Veolia’s Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) in Sheffield is designed to handle 225,000 tonnes of solid waste a year. It generates up to 21MW of electricity to the National Grid, enough to power more than 25,000 homes.

Veolia uses Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) at the plant to ensure it continues to conform with its emissions responsibilities specified by the Environment Agency under the plant’s permit to operate.

For this project, Opensoft used Proficy Historian, GE’s high-performance data archiving system that collects, efficiently and securely store, retrieve, distribute time-based data at high speed.

The project was completed in three phases. For the initial Phase, our engineer undertook at an Audit of the required process systems, collating information and running through reporting requirements with key stakeholders on site. This allowed the User & Functional Requirements (FDS) to be accurately determined. Phase 2. Once approved by the the client development work was undertaken offsite and the solution taken through internal component Testing at Opensoft’s offices.

Phase 3. The client carried out Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) to verify the system against the specification and that the system responded as required. Once the system was taken to site the system was commissioned and Site Acceptance Testing undertaken against the specification design.

Heat is generated from Veolia’s ERF (energy recovery facility) through the incineration of household waste. The heat generated is then converted to steam which is used to heat a pressurised hot water circuit through which heat is distributed via a network of underground pipes across the city of Sheffield.

The heat reaches strategically placed heat exchangers around the city and is distributed to homes, hospitals and businesses as demand is required.

The heat reaches strategically placed heat exchangers around the city and is distributed to homes, hospitals and businesses as demand is required.

The existing SCADA system had become un-fit for purpose due to changes in operation of the plant and new equipment being added since the district heating system was first commissioned. Opensoft Systems were commissioned to develop a new system to reflect accurately the operation of the plant and all critical equipment within the district heating system with the overall aim of improving plant operation and efficiency.