Orimulsion (Hansard, 15 June 1992)

§ Mr. Hardy
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take to discourage the use of orimulsion for the purposes of steam-raising in Britain and the rest of the EC.

§ Mr. Maclean
Any proposed use of orimulsion is likely to arise within processes subject to integrated pollution control by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HMIP) under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Such processes cannot be carried out without an authorisation. Authorisations must include conditions to ensure that the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost will be used to prevent or minimise the release of prescribed substances and for rendering any such releases harmless. My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans for other action in relation orimulsion.

§ Mr. Hardy
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what levels or proportion of(a) sulphur and (b) other toxic or harmful substances are estimated to be released as a result of the combustion of orimulsion for the purposes of electricity generation according to the current proposals for its use.

§ Mr. Maclean
Although the burning of orimulsion produces significantly more sulphur dioxide and particulate matter than does, for example, that of heavy fuel oil. the quantities of pollutants ultimately released to the environment depend not only on the type of fuel used, but on the abatement techniques used to control releases.
400W
The operation of combustion processes in which orimulsion is burnt require authorisation by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HMIP) under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In granting an authorisation, HMIP requires the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost (BATNEEC) to be used by the operator to prevent or reduce emissions from the process.
Guidance on what constitutes BATNEEC together with the levels of releases achievable are set out in the chief inspector's guidance note to inspectors "Combustion Processes, Large Boilers and Furnaces 59MW(th) and Over", copies of which have been placed in the Library.
Details of applications for, and any subsequent authorisations granted for all processes controlled by HMIP, are placed on the public registers held at HMIP regional offices which may he inspected by anyone, free of charge.