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TJ Waste hosted an open-discussion event in Portsmouth earlier this month to highlight the importance of disposing of lithium-ion batteries correctly. TJ invited waste and recycling operatives from around the UK to hear the lessons they’d learnt – and that the entire industry could benefit from – following the fire at TJ’s Tipner facility last July.
The event was hosted in collaboration with Barnbrook Systems, a global engineering solutions company, and Flair, a technology innovator, who are working in partnership following the launch of their innovative E-bag system, which they believe could effectively reduce the risk of battery fires within recycling centres.
The discussion group also explored how industrial-strength containers could be adapted with the suppression technology on a rental-type basis supplied by battery recyclers, as well as bags and bins that could be used on picking lines.
The E-bag system, which was originally designed for aviation, utilises nanotechnology to create its temperature-sensitive smart fabric. The E-bag’s smart fabric smothers the battery or device by cutting off air, ensuring efficient fire suppression. It safely isolates overheating, smoking or burning batteries, or their parent devices, and prevents ignition.
Barnbrook’s BlueCube© technology will monitor the E-bag’s interior, providing live readings of temperature and humidity. This allows suspect devices to be placed inside as a precaution, tracked during extinguishing, and monitored until safe removal.
TJ opted to host this event to knowledge-share with fellow waste management operators who are now facing the risk of having insurance cover withdrawn if they don’t embrace fire suppression technology solutions at waste transfer facilities and recycling centres.
The pilot trial of the E-bag system – which was featured on the BBC’s The One Show recently – will commence at TJ’s Tipner Materials Recycling Facility when it reopens. The trial will equip TJ operatives with the purpose-made, portable E-bags in which they can place suspect or hazardous devices. Once the bag is zipped up, it can be safely taken outside for processing. There will also be a large sack into which bigger batteries or devices can be placed before being removed by a disposal company.
TJ’s Managing Director, John Gosling, chaired the meeting outside the new Tipner waste transfer facility, which is due to reopen in the coming weeks. He said: “Whilst fire detection systems worked at the Tipner site, it was too late because thermal runaway had already taken place from a lithium-ion battery buried in tons of waste, which in turn caught the roof material alight.
“In line with latest best practice, we are installing a new range of measures, including thermal imaging technology and flame sensors, and will be trialling the E-bag. It is very much the hope of the attendees that regulators and industry can tackle the pressing issue of discarded batteries and how to transport and store them.”
Find out more about our new Tipner Facility and keep your eye on our socials for news on the reopening…
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