THE Omega Proteins facility in Penrith has invested in a new ‘state-of-the-art’ multi fuel oxidiser as part of its ‘odour abatement’ policy.

The site has been under pressure over recent months over the infamous ‘Penrith Pong’ - which campaigners claim comes from the site.

Campaign group Fresh AIR for Penrith have previously called for Leo Omega Proteins to cease operation at its industrial-scale process at Wildrigg.

A petition has previously been delivered to Penrith and the Border MP, Dr Neil Hudson, calling for the politician to take action on behalf of local residents.

The company has announced that it has installed a new gas oxidiser as well as a new multi-fuel oxidiser to help with the ‘odour abatement’ system as part of its ‘ongoing site improvements’ at the Omega Proteins Penrith facility.

These new and more efficient models replace the two older thermal oxidisers which have reached the end of their useful life.

The way thermal oxidisers work is relatively simple: Stronger airborne odours are extracted directly from the process equipment, and the odorous compounds are destroyed at temperatures of over 850°C.

The de-odourised air is then released from the stack and the difference in temperature when it mixes with the cooler air results in the visible plume of water vapour.

READ MORE: Retirement for Neil Monkhouse who gave 24 years to fire service

A spokesperson for the company said: “Leo Group is committed to investment and continuous improvement, using the best available techniques to ensure that high operating standards are continually maintained at all our sites.

"In doing so, protecting the environment, and reducing CO2 emissions are top priorities.

In this context, we are pleased to announce that we have recently installed a new gas oxidiser as well as a new multi-fuel oxidiser as part of our ongoing site improvements at our Omega Proteins Penrith facility.”

The new system will also help the site to become more environmentally friendly, according to the company, as the electricity generated can then be reused on site to create steam that is used in the facility's production processes. 

The new multi-fuel oxidiser was commissioned on Tuesday, February 21 after an installation period of two years.