Efficient transport of steam

ECLUSE is a network of steam and condensate pipes between the thermal Indaver/SLECO processing plants and a number of companies in Waasland Port. This enables the companies to purchase heat according to their own needs.

The heating network transports steam generated during incineration through an insulated steam pipe to the steam consumers. The transport is done efficiently and without appreciable loss using superheated steam at high pressure (40 bar) and high temperature (400 °C).

The hot water passes through condensate piping back to Indaver/SLECO where it is used once again as feedwater in the steam boiler. The pipelines are approximately 5 kilometres long and are laid partly underground (1 km) and partly above ground (4km). ECLUSE applies a solidarity principle for its heat extractors. Each purchaser pays the same rate for transport.

Steam purchasers

Customers for green heat in the Waasland Port are mainly companies in the chemical sector due to the energy-intensive nature of the business. The ECLUSE-customers are all Essenscia members (Belgian Federation for Chemistry and Life Sciences Industries), based in the Waasland Port and committed to purchase steam from ECLUSE for at least 10 years. ADPO, Ashland, Monument Chemical, Ineos Phenol and Lanxess use this steam in their production processes.

Other companies may join the network at a later date. The ECLUSE heating network is designed to supply double the heat capacity that is required today. This will also cater for an increase in heat requirement from companies that joined the scheme from beginning.

Partnership

ECLUSE is a partnership between Indaver, SLECO, FINEG, Water-Link and Maatschappij Linkerscheldeoever. It functions as a ‘channel of green energy' between the Indaver/SLECO waste-to-energy plants and companies in the Waasland Port. The Belgian Federation for Chemistry and Life Sciences Industries, essenscia, also supports the project. Fluvius is responsible for the operations of the network.

Maatschappij Linkerscheldeoever (MLSO) is responsible for the management and land development policy for Waasland Port. Among other things, MLSO prepares grounds for construction and grants concessions to companies. It also organises expropriations and advises the authorities on the expansion of the port area.

Fluvius is a Flemish multi-utility company which builds, operates, maintains and develops pipeline-dependent utilities.

Fineg is a financial holding with 16 municipalities as shareholders. Its scope is to invest in energy projects.

Each year, Indaver and SLECO convert 1 million tonnes of waste into energy and materials at their plant in Doel. They deploy as much innovative technology as possible to recover energy from waste.

Essenscia is the Belgian Federation for Chemistry and Life Sciences Industries. As a multisectoral umbrella organisation, it represents the numerous business sectors involved in chemistry, synthetic materials and life sciences.   Essenscia supports this project because it can contribute to ensuring that the participating companies continue to choose the Port of Antwerp region as their place of operation. By connecting them to a heating network, companies which are strategic to the Flemish economy will be anchored in this area. Via the heating network, the Flemish authorities are in a position to guarantee the corporate sector in the Waasland Port a cost-effective and sustainable energy supply in the long term.