Chinese Technology Powers Bangkok's "Waste-to-Energy" Transformation
At the Nong Khaem waste-to-energy plant in western Bangkok, garbage trucks frequently pull into a seven-story facility. Huge mechanical grabs scoop up the waste and feed it into incinerators via a conveyor system. The sky above the chimney is clear, the water in the park's ponds is crystal clear, and the area is shaded by lush green trees. It is hard to imagine that just over a decade ago, this site was buried under mountains of trash.
Invested in, built, and operated by the Chinese-funded company Chuang's Environmental (Thailand) Co., Ltd., the power plant has been running stably for nearly 10 years since its commissioning in 2016. Currently, the Phase I project processes 500 tons of municipal solid waste daily. To date, it has treated over 1.68 million tons of waste and fed more than 636 million kWh of electricity into the Bangkok grid.
"Bangkok generates over 10,000 tons of waste daily, most of which is landfilled. The leachate and odors produced during transportation have a significant impact on the surrounding environment," Ning He, the general manager, told reporters. He explained that the project achieves waste reduction, harmlessness, and resource recovery through high-temperature incineration and waste heat power generation.
Ning He noted that the project is not merely an export of single equipment or technology. Instead, it is a systematic integration and optimization based on China's long-term accumulation in the waste-to-energy industry, allowing relevant experience to be localized in Thailand.
Adjacent to the Phase I project, the Phase II factory features a striking waste storage pit measuring 73 meters long and 30 meters deep, capable of holding over 20,000 tons of waste. The Phase II project further boosts capacity, with a daily processing scale of 1,600 tons. To effectively control odor escape, the plant uses a fully enclosed negative pressure system. "Electronic nose" odor monitoring devices and noise monitoring systems are installed at the waste tipping area and surroundings. This AI-integrated analysis system monitors volatile substances in the air and environmental noise in real-time, 24/7. Once abnormal odors or excessive noise are detected, the system automatically alerts and feeds back information to the central control room.
Inside the central control room, staff monitor incineration temperatures and emission indicators in real-time to ensure all operational parameters remain stable and compliant. This stable and standardized management has reassured the surrounding community. The company also actively participates in community co-construction by establishing foundations and communication mechanisms to serve the neighborhood.
The project's advancement has brought not only technology and management expertise but also fostered local talent development. "In Thailand, it is difficult to directly recruit personnel with relevant backgrounds and experience in waste-to-energy," said Tatchanon Thamasu, an operations manager who has worked at the company for nearly 10 years. The company has trained over 100 local employees for roles ranging from control room operations to equipment maintenance, with a single training cycle lasting up to six months.
It is reported that the Nong Khaem Phase II plant will soon begin trial operations, while the Phase III project in eastern Bangkok has completed final commissioning and is expected to be operational soon. Once all three plants are running, they are expected to handle nearly 40% of Bangkok's municipal solid waste.
"I am very proud to participate in and witness the progress of waste management in Thailand," said Tatchanon.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/syWR7kwL323Df4pdVjgkYQ