THERMOSELECT
Facility in Karlsruhe / Germany
The THERMOSELECT facility in Karlsruhe consists of 3 thermal lines for waste
treatment, with an annual throughput capacity of 225,000 tonnes and a calorific
design value of 12 MJ/kg. It began operation in 1999 to treat the residual waste from
the surrounding towns and rural districts. In addition, successful experiments were
conducted using light shredder fractions and high-calorie residual substances from
biological-mechanical facilities (RDF).
In both cases - when domestic waste was used and when special fractions were
tested - excellent environmental results, such as extremely low emission levels, were
achieved.
As a result of general business strategy decisions, the owner of this facility, ENBW
Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, closed the facility end of 2004.
Machine installation Construction of the process hall
The waste is delivered by trucks and rail. Vehicle scales in the entrance area record
the quantities delivered and pass the results to the central database.
Waste delivery by truck Waste delivery by train
The waste is compressed in a press and then pushed into a degasification duct.
The waste is passed through the degasification channel into the high temperature
reactor.
Press in machine frame Press cylinder
The organic components are gasified at temperatures up to 2000°C in the high
temperature reactor and the inert fractions are melted. The metallic and mineral
phases separate in the connected homogenisation duct.
High temperature reactor Homogenisation duct
The energy rich synthesis gas produced runs through several cleaning stages and is
then used in a steam turbine power station for electricity and district heating
generation.
Process hall
Steam turbine building