The architectural design of the MBT (Mechanical and Biological Treatment Unit) follows the specifications of the tender documents, in coherence with the topography, solar orientation and existing buildings of the Palmela Ecopark. The project has been developed to integrate with the surrounding landscape and the overall existing built environment. The construction approach adapts to each space and its purpose, considering comfort and lighting conditions for staff while not neglecting technical aspects and materials required for this type of construction.
The project is developed in two phases — Lot 1 and Lot 2 — with a total gross built footprint of 18,242.2 m², split into 5,714.5 m² for Lot 1 and 12,527.7 m² for Lot 2.
LOT 1:
- Biowaste reception area
- Treatment and routing system for waste preparation, including structuring material to be valorised organically by composting
- Closed pre-composting system with forced aeration in tunnels
- Post-composting system, in covered maturation yard, of the material resulting from pre-composting
- Air extraction and treatment system
- Command and control system for the above-mentioned and other systems, integrated into the MBT control room with remote access
- All technical networks required for the operation of biological treatment and respective connections to the Ecopark networks
LOT 2:
- Biowaste reception area, considering interconnection with Phase 1 (Lot 1) — capacity 10,377 tonnes of biowaste
- Treatment and routing system for waste preparation, including structuring material to be valorised organically by composting
- Closed pre-composting system with forced aeration in tunnels
- Post-composting system, in covered maturation yard, of the material resulting from pre-composting
- Compost refining system (for removal of structuring material and contaminants)
- Air extraction and treatment system
- Command and control system for the above-mentioned and other systems, integrated into the MBT control room with remote access
- All technical networks required for the operation of biological treatment and respective connections to the Ecopark networks
- Wastewater treatment system and respective interconnection to the Ecopark drainage and treatment network
- Technical areas — including, without limitation, dedicated areas for the switchboard, supervision of the various stages of the treatment system, laboratory, workshop expansion, support to the WWTP and to the air treatment
The project development took into account the industrial process, the interconnection and interdependencies between the various spaces of this unit, respecting all the dimensions and technical characteristics required by the tender documents.