The last thing anyone would expect to find at a sludge treatment facility is a relaxing thermal spa and an aromatic roof garden. The genius of T ∙ PARK in Tuen Mun lies in the clever masking of the odour from the landfill nearby, together with a modern design that keeps the treatment system out of sight.

One of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the world, T ∙ PARK combines various technologies into a single futuristic complex. The facility boasts such capabilities as power generation and desalination, which are fuelled by sludge incinerators with a treatment capacity of up to 2,000 tonnes per day.

Through its advanced incineration system, T ∙ PARK can reduce the volume of sludge by 90%, easing the burden on landfills. Heat generated from the incineration process can be recovered for electricity generation to meet on-site operational needs. Surplus electricity generated is then channelled into the public power grid to meet the needs of up to 4,000 households. 

In addition, a policy of zero wastewater discharge has been adopted, so all wastewater is treated and reused for irrigation, flushing and cleaning purposes. The facility houses a seawater desalination plant that produces fresh water for use on-site while rainwater is collected for non-potable use.

Forty Chamber members visited T ∙ PARK on 31 May and had the opportunity to get a close-up look at the incinerator, turbine and condenser featured in the power generation system. They also learned more about the treatment process from the interactive exhibition.

The avant-garde architecture and cutting-edge operation system helped VW-VES (HK), the contractor of T．PARK, win the Innovation and Creativity Certificate of Merit at the 2016 Hong Kong Awards for Industries.