No stone left unturned!
On the outside, it’s an impressive
piece of art. But on the inside, it’s a
highly efficient disposal machine.
With an annual incineration capacity
of 250,000 tons of waste, “Spittelau”
is one of the largest waste incineration
plants in Austria’s capital
city. It’s also a popular exhibit for art
and architecture lovers the world
over, with a facade designed by Viennese
artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
This curiosity — one of three
thermal waste treatment plants operated
by Fernwärme Wien GmbH
and probably unique in the world —
has now been renovated after three
years of work. The original instructions
for the project completed in
June 2015 were: “The outside cannot
be touched, but inside, no stone
should be left unturned.”
The plant was completely renovated
because, after running operations
for more than 40 years,
major components had reached
the natural end of their working
life. The effort required for the
renovation work was enormous,
with considerable costs all in all
in the region of EUR 130 million.
First, the two 35-meter high combustion
boilers, processing up to
16 tons of waste per hour and generating
54 tons of steam, had to be
replaced. The pipes that transport
hot steam at 400 degrees C into the
turbine were also affected by the
renovation, as well as the turbine
itself where the steam is eventually
converted into power and used for
heat extraction. In addition, there
was the replacement of the catalyst
and the transformer station for
district heat extraction, as well as
the installation of a new feed water
container, an ash removal system,
and a water vapor system.
Further components of the extensive renovation measures include products supplied by the Condair Group, one of the world’s leading providers of solutions for air humidifiers and evaporative cooling systems. Three Defensor MK5 resistance steam humidifiers were ordered for Spittelau before the work even began. These humidifiers ensure excellent air quality in the plant’s operating facility, in particular where Fernwärme Wien’s employees carry out highly responsible monitoring and control functions. Constantly viewing large monitor displays puts a particular strain on eyes and mucous membranes. Precisely controllable air humidity will noticeably improve working conditions here and also increase the ability to concentrate as well as improve the general well-being of responsible employees.
The electrically operated MK5s provide maximum control precision and are designed for use with drinking water or fully desalinated water. They automatically produce non-pressurized, mineral-free hygienic steam. The humidifier’s patented limestone management system in particular was crucial in the decision to order MK5s for the Vienna plant. Extracted minerals can be continuously removed from the steam cylinder and transferred to an externally located collection vessel.
The importance of this generation site for the city, the second largest in the district heating grid of Wien Energie, is immense. More than 50,000 households are supplied with remote heat and power on the basis of its performance. The manpower requirement necessary during the renovation work—especially during peak periods—was equally high. Up to 400 workers were on site at times to ensure that deadlines were met. One of the two incineration boilers was able to start operation in March 2014.
Thanks to the use of modern technology, the full commissioning of the plant went hand in hand with an increase to a higher level of capacity. The plant’s power production could be increased threefold for the same output quantity of district heat. With a total capacity of 400 Megawatts and a production of 500 Gigawatt hours of heat per year on average, it’s currently one of the most modern and most efficient flue gas cleaning systems in the world.
Vienna’s Environmental Councilor Ulli Sima considers this to be a natural continuation of a sustainable environmental policy: “Modern waste treatment facilities, like the one here in Spittelau, are at the heart of our environmental and waste management plan for Vienna. District heating makes an important contribution towards the climate protection and energy efficiency of our town. Spittelau’s degree of effectiveness has been increased to 76 percent, which means that energy is utilized more efficiently.”
Christoph Gschaider, Condair GmbH Austria
Further components of the extensive renovation measures include products supplied by the Condair Group, one of the world’s leading providers of solutions for air humidifiers and evaporative cooling systems. Three Defensor MK5 resistance steam humidifiers were ordered for Spittelau before the work even began. These humidifiers ensure excellent air quality in the plant’s operating facility, in particular where Fernwärme Wien’s employees carry out highly responsible monitoring and control functions. Constantly viewing large monitor displays puts a particular strain on eyes and mucous membranes. Precisely controllable air humidity will noticeably improve working conditions here and also increase the ability to concentrate as well as improve the general well-being of responsible employees.
The electrically operated MK5s provide maximum control precision and are designed for use with drinking water or fully desalinated water. They automatically produce non-pressurized, mineral-free hygienic steam. The humidifier’s patented limestone management system in particular was crucial in the decision to order MK5s for the Vienna plant. Extracted minerals can be continuously removed from the steam cylinder and transferred to an externally located collection vessel.
The importance of this generation site for the city, the second largest in the district heating grid of Wien Energie, is immense. More than 50,000 households are supplied with remote heat and power on the basis of its performance. The manpower requirement necessary during the renovation work—especially during peak periods—was equally high. Up to 400 workers were on site at times to ensure that deadlines were met. One of the two incineration boilers was able to start operation in March 2014.
Thanks to the use of modern technology, the full commissioning of the plant went hand in hand with an increase to a higher level of capacity. The plant’s power production could be increased threefold for the same output quantity of district heat. With a total capacity of 400 Megawatts and a production of 500 Gigawatt hours of heat per year on average, it’s currently one of the most modern and most efficient flue gas cleaning systems in the world.
Vienna’s Environmental Councilor Ulli Sima considers this to be a natural continuation of a sustainable environmental policy: “Modern waste treatment facilities, like the one here in Spittelau, are at the heart of our environmental and waste management plan for Vienna. District heating makes an important contribution towards the climate protection and energy efficiency of our town. Spittelau’s degree of effectiveness has been increased to 76 percent, which means that energy is utilized more efficiently.”
Christoph Gschaider, Condair GmbH Austria