Air Pollution Control residue (APCr), sometimes referred to as “fly ash,” is a hazardous material that is a by-product of the Energy from Waste (EfW) combustion process.

Physically, APCr is a fine, dry powder released during the treatment of flue gases from EfW plants.

EfW is an exciting technology that promises to become a key component in Australia’s shift to renewable energy and a circular economy.

But APCr is a complex material to handle. Essentially this is because of its high content of heavy metals, along with its high alkalinity—which makes it corrosive. EfW plants generate between 3 and 5 per cent of APCr based on volume of input—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The good news is that Australia already has the sovereign capability to dispose of APCr waste permanently, and safely. Tellus’ geological repository at Sandy Ridge is a major enabler for the budding EfW Industry.

Last October we received our first delivery of isotainers filled with about 53 tonnes of APCr, which was then safely transferred to Tellus’ onsite siloes. Since then, Tellus has continuously been taking the material generated by the first Australian EfW plant.

Two energy from-waste projects are under way in WA—Kwinana Energy Recovery in Kwinana, and East Rockingham, in Perth. The plants combined can produce enough power for 86,000 homes in Western Australia.

Meanwhile, at Sandy Ridge Labs, we are already exploring ways APCr could be used in other beneficial ways, from using it in waste processing and aggregates, to extracting valuable metals, further lessening its environmental footprint.

It’s one more way Tellus is supporting Australia’s clean energy transition.