eSynergy

eSynergy is a waste management company specialising in the treatment and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The eSynergy WEEE facility located just outside of Melton Mowbray operates a bespoke system for the recycling of commercial refrigeration equipment for the large supermarket chains and wholesalers. This system is the first of its type in the UK, capable of treating this equipment through an ‘intrinsically safe’ process (a recently implemented requirement for Hydrocarbon containing refrigeration equipment).

The sector, being of significant importance to global environmental protection, is highly regulated. The primary source of regulation in this area is the EU WEEE Directive which was given affect in the UK by the WEEE Regulations (2007). The WEEE Directive introduced many changes to the sector, for example the requirement for the ‘producer’ to fund the collection and recovery of WEEE. Central to this legislation is the requirement that systems for the treatment of WEEE must use best available treatment recovery and recycling techniques (BATRRT). It is here that eSynergy have innovated, developing mechanical treatment and recycling systems for specific types of WEEE.

Our innovative process for commercial refrigeration represents ‘Best Available Technology’. Units are subject to the same gas recovery technology used when recycling domestic refrigerators.

Pre-Shredding Process

The plant uses a two stage shredding process. The first process reduces the large commercial cabinets into manageable fractions through a high torque shredder, this material then goes through a secondary high speed shredding process which further reduces the fractions and breaks down the PUR foam releasing the gases trapped within the foam matrix. The plant is fed using a unique loading system designed to elevate commercial cabinets into a vacuum chamber before being injected into the first shredding stage. The system represents the first practical solution to the encapsulated recycling of supermarket and other commercial refrigeration equipment containing ODS, high GWP and flammable gases. All shredding takes place in a nitrogen rich environment, maintaining an oxygen level of below 4%. This avoids the risk of fire and explosion common when dealing with hydrocarbon (Pentane) blown insulation foam.

Cryo-Condap Solvent (CFC/HC) Recovery

The gases released during the shredding of refrigeration equipment are drawn off the process under vacuum by the Cryo-Condap solvent recovery system. The system condenses the blowing agents from the process gas at -198°C. These gases along with the polyurethane powder are collected separately. These form the basis of our feedstock in to the on-site energy from waste system (Pyrolysis).

PyroVore ST150

This small scale innovative technology is based on staged and separated pyrolysis, gasification and high temperature oxidisation. The unit is capable of destroying many different types of waste (including medical and plastics, with no pre-treatment), with the option of additional heat recovery, whilst producing only ash/char and a controlled amount of gas (with low emissions). The plant is used to convert the polyurethane foam recovered from end-of-life refrigeration equipment to fuel gas, thereby achieving zero to landfill and the best possible carbon foot print reduction for our customers. The advantage is that waste gases from mechanical recycling can also be utilised in the system reducing the risk of accidental fires and harnessing energy.