German Waste-to-Energy Plant Prolongs Hose Life Using Bredel NR Transfer Hoses

Abfallverbrennungs- und Biokompost GmbH (AVBKG), the German waste processing plant, has achieved significant hose maintenance and hose life savings. Based in Tornesch-Ahrenlohe near Hamburg, AVBKG operates a waste-to-energy plant burning approximately 80,000 tonnes of residual, commercial and bulky waste annually. The plant generates 60,000 MWh of heat and 27,000 MWh of electricity each year.

Prior to this, AVBKG was using competitor hoses which needed to be replaced approximately every three months. Seeking a more durable and cost-effective alternative, the company commissioned eight Bredel NR Transfer hoses for general transfer duty to 12 bar (174 psi), as well as an additional Bredel 40 hose pump.

AVBKG is currently running the NR Transfer hoses using five Bredel 40 hose pumps (one spare) and one competitor pump. The transition began with two hoses in November 2023 and extended to eight by April 2024.

“Among all the hose pumps used, the Bredel pumps are the most popular among the staff in our plant as it gives the least workload and problems,” said Maik Mustroph, AVBKG/GAB Head of Maintenance and Repair.

The Bredel hose pumps are manufactured by Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS), a global leader in the supply of fluid path technology. Famous for their ability to handle abrasive and viscous liquids and solids, the Bredel pumps are used across several industries such as mining, water and wastewater, industrial, and food and drinks.

“AVBKG have been pumping lime milk/lime slurry using Bredel 40 hose pumps for a few years,” said WMFTS Sales Engineer – Industrial Germany, Nils Fiebig. “They were using hoses from another supplier, but in November 2023 we supplied the initial two Bredel NR Transfer hoses and they have performed exceptionally well since then.”.

“All of the competitive hoses lasted roughly three months and AVBKG bought 16 of them in 2023. This year, our competitor company offered us a much higher price compared to our NR Transfer hose. AVBKG even tested another supplier's hose in 2024 which only lasted for three weeks. One year after delivering the first NR Transfer hose, none of them have failed.”

The abrasion-resistant Bredel NR Transfer hose is designed to provide an extended working life and improved pump efficiency. Suitable for conveying high-solid sludge, abrasive slurries, water-based liquids, diluted alcohols and acids and mildly corrosive chemicals, it complements the heavier-duty NR Metering hose, which provides pressure up to 16 bar (232 psi).

“Application of this type is the perfect challenge for the benefits of the Bredel NR Transfer Hose,” said Grace Madden, Bredel Product Manager. “It enables us to compete on price and lifetime ultimately providing a better solution to the customer.”.

Part of the electricity generated at AVBKG is used to power GAB's plants in its in-house power grid, and the remainder is sold in the Power Exchange. Hot water for about 4500 households in the Pinneberg district can be provided by the heat energy of the plant. 

Unlike most waste incineration plants that produce electricity and emit unused heat, AVBKG's CHP technology enables recovery of almost all energy from waste.

Learn more about the GAB waste-to-energy plant.

For more information, visit www.wmfts.com.