Rookery South – Commissioning Activities update

Rookery South Energy Recovery Facility COMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES – NOTIFICATION OF STEAM PURGING

Dear Sir/Madam / Householder

As Principal Contractor, Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) continue to progress with commissioning and testing activities at the Rookery South Energy Recovery Facility: the final step before the plant becomes fully operational early next year. A team of experienced commissioning engineers are engaged in this important phase, which is also required by the Environment Agency (EA) under the terms of the project’s Environmental Permit.

The next key step in the commissioning process is to clean the inside of the boiler tubes and pipework using pressurised steam produced by heat in the boilers. This activity is known as ‘steam purging’. During this time, residents living closest to the site may hear a noise similar to rushing air. A silencer is fitted to minimise the noise as much as possible. A plume of water vapour will also be visible as the steam condenses in the cooler air outside the facility.

Steam purging is planned to take place throughout May 2021. The nature of testing and commissioning means the scheduling of activities is subject to change and it is possible that some steam purging may run into early June 2021.

To minimise any potential for inconvenience, steam purging will take place between the hours of 09.00 and 17.00, Monday to Saturday, and not at all on a Sunday.

Though the potential for odour to be generated was highest during the initial heating of the boilers, it is possible that further odour could occur as the boilers are heated to produce the steam required for steam purging. HZI will continue to make use of temporary activated carbon filters through which building air will be drawn to reduce any odours that may be generated within the boiler hall.

We once again offer our sincere apologies for any disturbance, odours or nuisance caused, please be assured that any odours are non-hazardous and will be of short duration.

If you have any comments or questions in relation to these forthcoming activities please contact us via the Contact Us pages at www.rookerysouth.co.uk/contact-us or by calling the HZI Site Manager (Chris Barbour) on 07950 387 124.

Yours sincerely,

Jack Stitt

Project Manager
Covanta Energy Limited (for Rookery South Limited)