Newsletter September 2012: Sustainable soil remediation in Flanders

Transcription

16-4-2014
Preface
Dear Readers and Cleantech Friends,
FCA hopes you had a pleasant summer. We, in any case, are ready to get back to work! And we are
doing so by focusing on a topic with which cleantech was originally associated: sustainable soil
remediation. Today cleantech – rightly – has a much broader definition. Thanks to the long history of
relevant Flemish legislation and the actions of OVAM (Public Waste Agency of Flanders), sustainable
soil remediation today remains a showpiece of Flemish cleantech. Thus, DEC was able to clean up
the site where the Olympics took place by making use of Flemish expertise in soil remediation.
However, the work and the expertise in Flanders and beyond extend much further. You will discover this
and much more in this edition of the FCA newsletter.
Dirk Fransaer
Interim Manager Flanders Cleantech Association
top
Interview
Cleantech: impulse for redeveloping Flemish brownfields
There are heavily contaminated industrial sites located throughout Flanders that have been
abandoned for years. To stimulate the redevelopment of these so-called brownfields, the Flemish
government concluded agreements with investors and private developers in 2009. The Carcoke
site in Zeebrugge and the Tondelier site in Ghent will soon be ready for a new use, thanks to
Flemish cleantech companies.
What precisely is taking place at the Carcoke and Tondelier sites?
Vincent Kindt, Project Manager Carcoke Zeebrugge at OVAM: “The former Carcoke site is a heavily
contaminated area of approximately fourteen hectares in the inner port of Zeebrugge. The coke plant
closed its doors in 1996, but left behind soil and groundwater contaminated with cyanides, PAHs
(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene) and mineral oil.
Moreover, hazardous amounts of asbestos, tar, mercury and cadmium were found in the soil. The
grounds, however, are strategically located in the Port of Zeebrugge and have a great potential for
development for use in harbour-related activities. To remediate and redevelop the site, OVAM acquired
it for one symbolic euro. We have been busy since 2002 with the remediation, selective demolition and
groundwater purification of the site. Thanks to this redevelopment, one of the most contaminated black
points in Flanders will disappear. During demolition of the buildings and during the soil remediation
work, the focus was constantly on sustainable techniques.”
Source: http://www.kooksfabriek.be
Thierry Maene, Project Manager City of Ghent: “The Tondelier project is transforming a former
contaminated industrial zone into a new residential neighbourhood with high quality architecture and
respect for the site's rich industrial past. The grounds, covering seven hectares, are located in the north
of the Ghent city centre. 500 new residences will be built, with a good balance between affordable,
residential and social housing. It will also include a recreational green zone, sport, commercial and
service facilities, as well as a creche and youth centres. At least 40 percent of the buildings will be
passive. We are also aiming to make the project CO₂ neutral. Sustainability is also a crucial aspect in
the choice of materials, mobility, greenery, water use …”
What is the advantage of the brownfield covenant for such projects?
Ann Cuyckens, Department Head Interventions, Disposals and Remediations at OVAM: “With a
brownfield project, there is much more involved than just the soil remediation aspect. To make sites
viable again, attention must also be given to spatial planning, mobility, accessibility, communication,
and the like. Therefore it is only logical that many actors are involved. A covenant creates clarity: what do
we wish to achieve, and when? Who will do what, and who will pay for it? Thanks to the brownfield
covenant, developers can also take advantage of a number of legal-administrative and financial
benefits when they develop and remediate a brownfield. Approved brownfield projects, for example, are
exempt from registration duties when property is sold, are exempt from the financial guarantee
normally required in the case of remediation, and so on.”
Bruno Terryn of Aclagro NV, project developer and remediation contractor for Tondelier: “The
covenant offers us a discussion forum with the departments of the Flemish government. Precisely
because numerous aspects must be handled in a multidisciplinary and integrated way, the need is
great for structural consultations. Good arrangements between the partners thus ensure that the
project proceeds smoothly. We are also able to exchange expertise via the consultation platform.
Remediation requires much specific knowledge of the technologies used, the procedure, the financial
aspect, and so on. It is important that this expertise is shared with initiators of new projects.”
file:///V:/Evenementen/Slide_FCA_Dirk/Webpages%20old%20FCA%20website/English/2012/201209_Newsletter%20September%202012%20Sustainable%…
1/5
16-4-2014
Soil remediation and redevelopment go hand in hand here. How can they further reinforce each
other?
Dirk Ponnet, Area Manager of remediation company DEC (Carcoke project in Zeebrugge): “As
remediation contractor, we prefer to become involved in the project at an early stage. For example: if a
hotspot of soil contamination must be excavated, considerable expense can be saved by planning – if
possible – an underground parking area at this site. Thus, good coordination with all stakeholders
about the intended use, function and furnishing of the final site is extremely important.”
The Tondelier project is being realised together with a private partner. What is the advantage for
Ghent of this public private partnership (PPP)?
Thierry Maene, Project Manager City of Ghent: “The advantage is that we are able to have a say in the
project. Which is also necessary; it after all concerns not simply a block of flats, but an entire new
neighbourhood that must fit in the urban fabric. Thus, we give importance to green spaces, the
sustainability of the buildings, and neighbourhood activities. Because it is not only the new residents of
the neighbourhood who will enjoy the fruits; the project must also benefit the existing neighbourhood
residents.”
How focused on innovation is the remediation sector?
Johan Maes, Business Development Manager at DEC: “Remediation techniques are becoming
increasingly more economical and more ecological. Recycling or reusing as much contaminated
ground as possible is one of the objectives. It is even so that today the soil in three fourths of our
remediation work is reused at the same site. At the Fasiver site (‘Eilandje’ brownfield in Zwijnaarde),
we succeeded in 100 percent recycling by cleaning and upgrading dredging spoil into soil with the
same quality as industrial ground. What's more, thermal remediation of the ground, with an installation
on site, is becoming more energy efficient. And to purify the groundwater at the Carcoke project, we
used renewable energy. We installed a number of solar panels on the site and built a small wind
turbine. Something new in Flanders.”
top
Companies in the spotlight
Envisan, the environmental company of Jan De Nul Group, is active in the treatment, purification and
processing of sediments, soil, groundwater, waste and alternative raw materials. Envisan was
established in 1992 as a soil and groundwater remediation company. In 1996, it joined the Jan De Nul
Group as environmental specialist. Envisan gradually developed into a company with experience in
general environmental technologies.
As environmental contractor, Envisan makes a major contribution to improving the environment. The
company is active in the sustainable development of brownfields on polluted industrial sites and in
contaminated residential areas, ports, canals and waterways. Envisan distinguishes itself in its
environmental dredging work, sediment processing and the redevelopment of contaminated sites with
a strong project-oriented approach, motivated personnel and partnerships that make a difference.
Investing in new markets
Envisan is committed to further expansion, with a carefully developed network of purification and
processing centres in support of its activities in Belgium and abroad. The company is investing in new
markets. In Romania, for example, Envisan built one of the first waste processing installations for
refinery waste.
Today Envisan is an important environmental contractor with three major business units:
environmental dredging and sediment treatment, soil and groundwater purification, and the processing
of waste and alternative raw materials.
Geert Ide, Director: “Soil remediation is a question of b eing creative and
innovative. There is no standard solution.”
Click here for the complete company profile of Envisan in the FCA cleantech guide.
Website: http://www.envisan.com/
top
Grond Recyclage Centrum NV is a pioneer and Belgian market leader in soil remediation. The
company was established in 1994 by DEME and the Flemish Environmental Holding. GRC was first
2/5
16-4-2014
active at a site in Kallo in the Port of Antwerp. Most of its activities still take place there. Thanks to a
successful expansion strategy, GRC now also has facilities in Bruges and Zolder, where much soil
from Northern France and Wallonia is delivered.
Synergies
All GRC sites are easily accessible by lorry and ship. Thus, it is also possible to economically process
in Flanders, soil obtained abroad. GRC has the needed permits, expertise and contacts with the
relevant Flemish and foreign government agencies. Due in part to synergies with DEME Environmental
Contractors, many tonnes of soil from abroad have already been shipped to GRC for remediation.
GRC is certified for processing contaminated soil, but also blasting grit, canal sludge, sweeping
refuse, sewage drainage sand, and so on. After remediation, a soil certificate can be obtained for these
waste products. Hazardous waste products can also be cleaned. The centres are equipped with liquidtight seals and meet the strictest environmental requirements.
Remediation techniques
GRC offers its customers several remediation techniques: physico-chemical, biological and thermal
remediation.
The soil washing is based on a wet physico-chemical extraction of the pollutants from the ground.
This technique lends itself perfectly to the remediation of (sandy) soils that are contaminated with
heavy metals, cyanide, (chlorinated) hydrocarbons, PAHs, mineral oil, EOX … Treatment of the soil in
the washing installation yields pure sand that is well suited to high-grade applications as building
material, for example in the production of concrete or asphalt.
The organic remediation technique makes use of the organic, biological decomposition of organic
pollutants such as petrol and diesel fuel. The conditions for decomposition are optimally set up and
controlled in organic decomposition beds, allowing organic biodegradation to take place more quickly.
Important parameters here are oxygen, temperature, humidity and nutrients.
With thermal soil remediation, the soil is heated so that the pollutants change from the solid or liquid
phase to the gas phase. These gases are then incinerated and given a secondary treatment. Thermal
treatment of the soil is done at the company's own semi-mobile thermal desorption installation, or by
an outside company with a permanent installation.
Jan Zwaenepoel, Plant Manager: “Flanders has b uilt up extensive know-how
and production capacity in the area of soil remediation. Because our centres
are easily accessib le b y ship, we are also ab le to sustainab ly and costefficiently clean – in Flanders – large amounts of contaminated soil ob tained
ab road. This is good for other countries saddled with the prob lem, and good
for the environment.”
Click here for the complete profile of GRC in the FCA cleantech guide.
Website: http://www.grckallo.be/
top
Santerra has been remediating contaminated sites throughout Belgium for more than ten years: in
support of negotiations between the owners and the authorities, cities or municipalities, as well as
actually taking over the remediation obligation when the grounds are purchased.
For high-risk grounds, Santerra offers the option of taking over the grounds after the needed studies.
After remediation, suitable possibilities for redevelopment are also sought.
Both on-site and off-site techniques are used in the remediation work. Santerra offers the best
available technique for each situation. The conditions in the field, the intended redevelopment, and the
techniques available are examined in detail. A solution is then proposed based on these.
In addition to the redevelopment of brownfields in Belgium, Santerra also focuses on Eastern Europe,
in particular Hungary. Santerra recently opened an office in Budapest and is actively seeking brownfield
projects in Hungary.
Joris Crynen, general manager “Developing greenfields is quick and easy;
redeveloping brownfields is the future.”
Click here for the full profile of GRC in the FCA cleantech guide.
Website: www.santerra.be
top
International
3/5
16-4-2014
CityChlor: integrated approach to urban contamination
Soil and groundwater contamination hinder cities throughout Europe in their sustainable
development. When faced with contamination by chlorinated solvents – previously used as a
solvent in printers and dry cleaning – expensive, complex and lengthy remediation is needed. The
European cooperation project CityChlor is looking into promising research and remediation
techniques, and has set up seven pilot projects. In addition to technical innovations, the nine
partners are also focusing on organisational solutions. Thus spatial planners are being involved in
the process before the remediation begins, in order to take optimum account of the area's future
use. In this way, CityChlor connects above-ground use with the ground underneath, and helps
cities in their sustainable redevelopment.
The polluter pays … not
Dealing with contamination by chlorinated solvents in densely populated areas and large cities is not
easy. Such remediation efforts require an ingenious and cautious approach. Not only does the
remediation entail health risks for people living nearby. The endless pump-and-treat decontamination
work often means many years of financial uncertainty. Sometimes there is added danger to the stability
of the surrounding houses. Moreover, this contamination is generally caused by small-scale
companies that are not financially strong, such as a chemical laundry, print shop or metal processing
company. Because of this, the principle ‘the polluter pays’ is often not possible in reality.
An additional problem is that in an urban setting, there are generally multiple sources at the basis of
mixed and complex groundwater contamination. Thus it is no longer possible to know who is
responsible for what part of the contamination. This results in cumbersome legal proceedings
concerning who is guilty that indirectly form an obstacle to redevelopment in the city. The quality of life of
neighbourhood residents is also affected by the uncertainty and by the slow process of the testing and
remediation.
CityChlor
Since all European cities are faced with this problem, nine partners from Flanders, Germany, the
Netherlands and France decided in 2009 to work together on the issue. They were supported in this by
the European Interreg IVB programme. A budget of 5.2 million euro was made available for fifteen
actions related to technical and socioeconomic aspects. Project leadership is in Flanders. OVAM, the
Public Waste Agency of Flanders, is coordinating the various actions, and has also initiated three pilot
projects itself in Kortrijk, Herk-de-Stad and Ghent.
Broad perspective
CityChlor effectively began in 2010 with the collection of existing knowledge and literature. Workshops
brought together experts from throughout Europe to discuss the transition from a purely local-technical
approach to remediation, to an integrated and regional approach. The solution to this contamination
after all lies in taking a broader view of the problem. Geographically, several contamination plumes
must be treated together. Organisation of the work also necessitates the involvement of all who are
obliged to engage in the remediation as well as those living nearby, which results in complicated legal
issues. Consequently, CityChlor studied the limitations of the current regulations in the participating
regions. A number of evolutions have made possible such a regional approach, but implementation at
European level does not yet exist.
From theory to practice
In addition to knowledge exchange and workshops, CityChlor –
in seven pilot projects – also tested the theoretically interesting
and innovative techniques in practice. These demonstration
sites should ensure that clients in the future will more easily
dare to invest in new techniques. CityChlor is distributing these
techniques and insights throughout Europe, and even beyond.
The Enissa Mip, for example, was introduced at the largest
professional conference in the United States. But the interaction
with the French, Dutch and German partners also creates new
perspectives on, for example, the passive taking of samples in
groundwater studies. A study conducted by the Flemish Institute
for Technological Research (VITO) in Flanders was included in
the evaluation of the Ineris pilot project (France). This in turn led
to new practical tests in Utrecht and Flanders.
This interaction between theory and practice, and between the
regions, results in a fascinating dynamic. This is the added
value that CityChlor brings. On the one hand, most European soil experts are familiar with the project in
the meantime, and they share their expertise in workshops and pilot projects. On the other hand, the
partners also regularly hold information sessions to provide feedback on the interim results.
The definitive results of CityChlor will be explained at the final congress to be held in Ghent on 16 and
17 May 2013. In addition to technical presentations, case studies and a debate will demonstrate
CityChlor's integrated approach. The final congress programme, and the already completed
publications and videos can be found at http://www.citychlor.eu/.
top
4/5
16-4-2014
Past events
6-9 May 2012
23-24 May 2012
Innovation for Sustainable Production 2012 (i-SUP2012) - Bruges
FCA evening program on 7 May
All-Energy 2012 - UK
7 June 2021
Seminar: Cleantech in Central and Eastern Europe - organised by FIT
13-15 June 2012
Green Ventures – Potsdam: Germany's largest International Partnership
Forum for energy and environmental technology, with Belgium as partner
country together with FIT
top
Coming events
26 Sept 2012
1 Oct 2012
1-2 Oct 2012
27/10/2012
- 01/11/2012
11-13 Nov 2012
17&18 Dec 2012
Matchmaking event with Swedish companies and potential Belgian
business partners. Organised by Nobelux in partnership with FCA.
ICTV, I-Cleantech Flanders off and running
Global Cleantech 100 Summit & Gala, Washington DC. The list of 100
companies will be announced on Monday 1 October.
FIT Trade mission ' Multisectoral - Taiwan'
Presentation VITO/FCA 'Cleantech Industry in Flanders'
Savannah International – Clean Energy Conference.
On 12 November, during the GCCA Later Stage Awards Gala & Dinner, the
winners of the Later Stage Awards 2012 will be announced. With FCA as
participating cluster member.
BSDS - Brussels Sustainable Development Summit 2012 - organised
by VITO and TERI in partnership with The Planetworkshops and FCA
For more information click here
Let's talk
5/5

Newsletter September 2012: Sustainable soil remediation in Flanders

Transcription

Similar documents

Presentation 8 - Environmental issues and remediation_Beldowski

Bodemverontreiniging op het spoor

Angiosperm Latin Name: Cyperus involucratus Common Name

Angiosperm Latin Name: Clivia miniata Common Name: Kaffir Lily

Sunflowers Project New Orleans

pdf

Technical Sheet - Microbes Biosciences

Electrical Resistive Heating (Dwight Hoenig)

Design of Remediation Program for Soils Impacted with Landmines

contaminated sites - ICCL, International Committee on