Waste hot water helps power plant as low carbon project launches

The DRD Power project aims to save between 600 and 750 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year at the Huntsman Pigments site near Hartlepool. The technology uses waste water to drive an electricity generator according to One North East-the regional development agency funding the project. The Organic Rankine Cycle unit involves heating a fluid with a lower boiling point and using the pressure to drive a generator. The unit can capture the large quantities of low grade heat generated by the process industries which is currently emitted to the atmosphere according to One North East. Stuart Johnson, Site Development Manager at Huntsman said: "We are very pleased to host the trial of this cutting-edge technology on our site, it demonstrates our continuing commitment to develop sustainable, energy efficient manufacturing and to reducing our impact on the environment." This project is due to be operational by March 2011 and has received £248,000 investment from One North East through the Tees Valley Industrial Programme. The programme aims to accelerate industrial transition in the area and help the region to seize new and emerging opportunities in low carbon and advanced manufacturing