MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Garden Route District Municipality has answered questions about its involvement in the Rooikat Recycling Project in Great Brak River.
The project is developing robust, fit-for-purpose, thermal depolymerisation technology.
This technology will allow the treatment of waste plastic and tyres to produce a basket of fuels that can be placed in the existing market.
All waste will be delivered to the site directly from designated sources for processing.
Waste will be sourced from private companies wishing to reduce their solid waste footprint and reputable waste management entities such as recycling companies. Waste from the public will not be accepted.
What is the Garden Route District Municipality's involvement in the project?
It is the air quality licensing authority for the project. The provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Developmental Planning is the competent authority for the Waste Management Licence and the subsequent Environmental Authorisation.
Why was an air emissions licence issued?
The proposed activity triggers two Section 21-listed activities, Categories 8.1 and 3.4 and subsequently, Rooikat Recycling applied for an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) on the South African Atmospheric Emission Licensing and Emissions Inventory Portal (SAAELIP).
The application also triggered activity 6 of the NEMA Listing Notice 2 and required Environmental Authorisation and a Waste Management Licence.
What is depolymerisation?
Depolymerisation is a mild form of pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is an established chemical process that breaks down large molecules (plastic and tyres) into smaller molecules (fuel oil) by the application of heat. Heat is supplied by burning petroleum gas (LPG) and fuel oil in a furnace.
The process uses a closed-loop system to produce oil (fuel oil). Carbon black and petroleum gas are produced as by-products. Petroleum gas is used internally as fuel.
Both fuel oil and carbon black are sold as fuels or chemical feedstock. The significant emission from the process is the combustion gas produced in the furnace.
All water produced in the process is recycled as cooling water. Rainwater is contained in the plant and recycled.
Will tyres and plastic be burnt in the process?
No, Garden Route District Municipality will never allow the uncontrolled burning of tyres and waste. This is illegal.
Burning of plastic or tyres is not permitted as toxic by-products are produced and released into the atmosphere.
The proposed process does not burn tyres or plastic. The process heats tyres or plastic, to elevated temperatures, in an oxygen-free environment.
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