Covanta Lancaster

Covanta Lancaster

The Lancaster County Resource Recovery Facility, located on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Bainbridge, PA, began commercial operation in May 1991. The 56-acre facility, operating as Covanta Lancaster, Inc., processes 1,200 tons per day of solid waste, which generates 35.7 megawatts of renewable energy that is sold to GPU Energy. The facility is a "zero discharge" facility, meaning that all the wastewater generated on-site is treated and reused in the waste management process. Covanta Lancaster also uses secondary sewage treatment runoff from a nearby treatment plant for all of its process water. As part of the facility, there is a public drop-off center where residents can bring non-hazardous household items for disposal. Covanta has an operating agreement with the facility's owner, the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority.

Commercial Operation:

May 1991

Waste Processing Capacity:

1,200 tons per day

Air Pollution Control Equipment:

Semi-dry flue gas scrubbers injecting lime, fabric filter baghouses, furnace dry-lime injection system, nitrogen oxide control system, mercury control system, and continuous emissions monitoring system

Energy-from-Waste System:

Three 400 ton-per-day waterwall furnaces with Martin® reverse-reciprocating grates and ash handling system

Energy Generation:

Up to 35.7 megawatts from one condensing steam turbine

Awards and Recognition:

Designated a Voluntary Protection Program Star facility by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for workplace safety