Tour of the Metro Vancouver WTE facility in Burnaby
Posted on September 12th, 2009
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On Thursday I participated in a tour of the Waste to Energy facility in Burnaby. I was very impressed with the tour and the process. The facility was built in the early 1980’s and has been expanded and improved apon several times since then. Life expectancy for the WTE facility is approximately 40 years.
Here are several facts I learnt, that I think are of general interest:
- Did you know that 280,000 Mt’s fo the lower mainlands garbage goes to this facility?
- Did you know that the facility powers the Norampac Paper Mill next door?
- Some energy produced is also sold to BC Hydro and transfered to the grid via a $36m transformer (I probably have the name wrong). The facility has already make this investment back (from the sale of the power)
- Did you know that the facility heats and cools the offices attached (entirely)
- Very cool – they storm water captured on site (from the roof essentially) is used for the toilets in the offices.
- Garbage burns at 1200 degrees C. Amazing to see and feel.
If you are trying to educate yourself or a class, it is definatly worth a tour. Phone the main reception desk to arrange.
Found In: Waste to Energy
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