HOW EVONIK’S P84® POLYIMIDE FIBERS CONTRIBUTE TO LESS CO2 EMISSIONS
THE DISAGREEABLE RAW MATERIAL
The world's population produces some 3.5 million metric tons of waste every day. In addition to recycling, waste incineration is an important element of modern waste disposal. Highly effective filter media made of P84® polyimide fibers from Evonik ensures greater efficiency and lower emissions in the incineration process.
Garbage. It stinks. It looks shabby. It is used up or even broken, and people around the world have lots of it. About 1.3 billion metric tons over the course of a year. That’s the equivalent of approximately 130,000 Eiffel Towers or 17,000 Golden Gate bridges–an inconceivable volume. However, this unwelcome heap can be recycled or re-used in very effective ways or used as a raw material source for fuel production or heat generation.
Waste incineration plants, which convert residual materials into energy, represent a cornerstone of waste disposal. They offer the option, within the scope of thermal waste treatment, to generate electricity and heat. The inert slags remaining after incineration are largely usable after proces-sing (separation of metals and contaminants, maturation), for example as a road construction material, while non-recyclable slags can be disposed of in landfills. They have no environmental impact, including in the long-term.
FILTER MEDIA FOR EFFICIENT FLUE GAS CLEANING
To ensure the efficient and clean operation of waste incineration plants, filter bags are used for flue gas cleaning – for example made from the high-temperature-resistant polymer by Evonik. P84® polyimide fibers stand for their high filtration efficiency thanks to their multi-lobe design. They retain a much higher permeability throughout their lifecycle. This results in significant reductions in the energy consumption of the fan that keeps the gas flow at a constant level.
Filter media made of P84® polyimide fibers by Evonik therefore not only cut back on dust particle emissions, but also reduce energy costs by 25 percent.
Worldwide, more than 160 waste incineration plants are cleaned with P84® filter bags. Based on the energy savings alone, the reference plants of Evonik reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 27,000 metric tons a year.