THE REVIVAL OF INCINERATION IN THE UK

Incineration of sewage sludge was regarded in the UK in the 1970s as a viable method for the disposal of sludge. Towards the end of the '70s the operating costs, compared with those of other routes, were very high and all but 4 plants were closed down. In 1986 a contract was let to Lurgi (UK) by Yorkshire Water to construct the first new incinerator in almost a decade. The integrated design approach has resulted in competitive operating costs. This, together with environmental pressures to control or reduce other disposal routes such as recycling to agricultural land, landfill, and sea, has led to a renewed interest in the incineration process. As a result one further plant will be commissioned in January 1990 and other plants are now under active consideration.