enfinium employs leak detection technology used by NASA across Energy from Waste facilities
- Technology used across all enfinium’s five sites to minimise downtime, reduce costs and maintain consistent, safe operations
- Swiss-manufactured Distran Ultra Pro also used on International Space Station by NASA astronauts
- Leak detection technology supports enfinium’s work to reduce emissions from processing unrecyclable waste
enfinium, a leading UK energy from waste (EfW) operator, today highlights the use of Distran’s Ultra Pro Max leak detection sensors across all its 5 operational sites. The technology, a handheld leak detection sensor also used by NASA, employs ultrasonic location to pinpoint and visualise leaks of any gases across its facilities, underpinning enfinium’s commitment to reducing emissions from its work to generate homegrown energy from processing the UK’s unrecyclable waste.
The sensor, developed by Distran, the global leader in ultrasonic gas leak detection, detects ultrasounds emitted by air flow as it rushes through small holes, seams, and cracks, with the acoustic imaging overlaid on an optical image in real time. This offers clear pinpointing of positive leaks emitted by any type of gas (steam, CO2, CH4, H2, etc.), including identifying potential leaks within the flue gas handling system, supporting effective emissions control during the processing of unrecyclable waste.
The technology is also crucial for detecting vacuum leaks, where unwanted air is drawn into systems operating under negative pressure, such as the flue gas path, forcing critical equipment such as induced draft fans to work harder and reducing overall plant efficiency.
The sensors are also used on the International Space Station (ISS) by NASA astronauts to pinpoint gas leaks and maintain cabin pressure, as well as across the broader energy, refining and chemical engineering sectors, demonstrating the product’s precision and reliability.
The technology is used at enfinium’s five operational plants, which process a total of 2.7 million tonnes of waste per annum, generating enough homegrown energy to power 600,000 UK homes. The technology is crucial in supporting enfinium’s efforts to reduce fugitive emissions at its sites, as well as the company’s commitment to leveraging technology across its operations.
Energy from waste sites across the UK help to reduce overall emissions from the UK’s waste by diverting waste that cannot be recycled from landfill, which generates nearly twice the amount of harmful climate-warming emissions.1
Adam Nicholson, Asset Management Director at enfinium, stated: “Distran sensors, used across all our sites, are an important element of our work to reduce emissions and deliver efficient waste management. The technology allows us to quickly and efficiently survey widespread areas to pinpoint precisely where leaks appear in our operations, allowing us to safely and effectively address the issue. This ensures reliability, efficiency and continuity of service, delivering on our mission to provide sustainable solutions to the UK’s waste whilst reducing carbon emissions”.