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.