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A long-abandoned mill located in the Northern region of Vancouver Island is in the middle stages of demolition. However, the accumulation of debris as well as the residual waste leftover from the former mill, has created some issues that could increase the project’s cost substantially, unless an innovative solution was found.
Hog Fuel is a wood residue and waste product that is processed through a mill to produce coarse chips and clumps. The decommissioned mill was using this hog fuel as a heat source until it was discovered that it contained too much cedar. Since it was no longer of use in the mill, the remaining hog fuel was piled and left untouched, and has remained so for the last eight years.
Within that time, the pile became infested with an aggressive perennial plant called Japanese Knotweed. This extremely invasive species has wreaked havoc on many of the coastal regions of both the B.C. mainland and Vancouver Island. Eradication of Japanese Knotweed is difficult as its rhizomes extend meters beyond the clones and can regenerate from tiny fragments. Disturbing the plant can cause further spread. Because of this, the B.C. government has strict regulations for the transportation and elimination of any type of biomaterial that contains Knotweed. Material must be removed in sealed containers and taken to a specialized disposal site.
The on-going demolition of the former mill has also created a large accumulation of C&D (construction and debris). Since this waste contains metal deposits from fasteners, structural components, and hardware, it is not approved to be taken to a wood disposal site due to the addition of these metal materials.
Removal of the infested hog fuel as well as the varied C&D presents an issue with cost, as these types of specialty transportation come with a hefty price tag.
The Cross Country Canada Air Curtain Burner has eliminated the need to remove or transport both the debris and hog fuel by offering on-site incineration. Since the wood waste combustion chamber is a contained system, the hog fuel can be incinerated without worry that Knotweed fragments could escape. Also, any remaining metal materials from the C&D waste can easily be removed when combustion is complete.
To further increase job site efficiency while reducing costs, the Burner has been able to utilize the C&D waste as a fuel source for incineration – eliminating the need for any tinder or kindling to be brought in.
The Cross Country Canada Air Curtain Burner is able to eradicate approximately 15 tonnes of waste per hour, with a daily rate that is lesser or equal to the cost of having one single ton transported out. With an estimated 60,000-70,000 tonnes of waste in need of disposal, the savings add up quickly.
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