Incinerator Mercury Removal - Scrubber Effluent Treatment Plant

Belfast

The Belfast Effluent Treatment Plant (The Scrubber Plant) is only the second of its kind in the United Kingdom. Its function is to remove the high amount of mercury from effluent produced by the adjacent Incinerator Plant.

This effluent is first held in a cooling tank, until it drops to the required temperature of about 30C, and is then pumped into a clarifier where it goes through a number of processes leading to the removal of sludge.  This is then pressed and discharged into “big bags” ready for disposal. This product resembles peat, and due to its high mercury content is classified as a toxic substance and has to be disposed of by sending it to a special site in England.

The outside of the building is clad in gabions which again was a first for a structure of this size.  This work was carried out by Eco-mesh and is designed to blend in with the surrounding hills.

The Design & Build project was managed for the client by Ferguson McIlveen.  The work involved a lot of new and pioneering designs.