Case Studies: Manufacturing, Waste and Recycling

Viridor Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), Dunbar

Spectrum were appointed by joint venture contractor Interserve Construction/Babcock Wilcox Volund, to provide detailed noise modelling, specification and acoustic design on this 300,000 t/a residual waste facility. As well as generating 30MW of electricity for the grid, the plant has the potential to offer up to 10MW of heat for local use.

Biogen Anaerobic Digestion Plants

Spectrum has provided occupational noise assessments at Biogen’s sites at Rushden, Bedford and Llwyn Isaf, and provided Biogen with computer noise modelling and planning noise assessment report and studies in relation to a obtaining a variation in an Environmental Permit for an expansion at their Rushden site.

SITA UK Energy from Waste (EfW) Facility, Isle of Man

Spectrum were appointed to outline and then detail design the acoustics and noise mitigation of this iconic project which handles all 60,000 t/a of the waste material produced on the island whilst generating 10% of its electricity. We undertook noise monitoring during the construction phase and carried out full commissioning noise testing once the facility began operating. We also coordinated additional noise mitigation measures required to deal with unexpected tonality on the project. Final testing satisfied the IOM government that project noise objectives had been fully achieved.

Tamar Energy Anaerobic Digestion Plants

Spectrum has assisted Tamar Energy in Site Evaluation, Permitting and Noise Control for a number of their sites. This photo shows their plant in Halstead, Essex, where we were asked to undertake some commissioning noise testing, noise modelling, and provide supplementary advice on mitigation in relation to a Permit application to the Environment Agency.

Integrated Waste Management Centre, Derby, UK

Interserve/Shanks joint venture appointed Spectrum to develop initial and detailed noise designs and specifications for this 140,000 t/a new facility in Derby. The work included additional background noise surveys and investigations, considerations of different building cladding and ventilation strategies, acoustic design and specification of noise control treatments. The objective was to meet reasonable internal noise limits to protect staff, and also to minimise the noise impact to the residential community surrounding the facility.