Co-disposal kinetics and characteristics of sewage sludge and municipal solid waste incineration fly ash

Abstract

Sewage sludge (SS) and municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWIFA) have characteristics of high yield, scattered distribution, and strong harm. Co-disposal of SS and MSWIFA in the existing cement kilns is a prospective way to deal with these two types of solid waste. In this study, the pyrolysis kinetic, thermogravimetric analysis, heat and mass transfer characteristics and pollutant release during SS and MSWIFA co-disposal were investigated through a series of experiments and simulations. In the experiment, pulverized coal (PC) was used as fuel to imitate the real environment of a cement kiln. According to the results, the interaction of the two solid wastes was observed mainly during the devolatilization and combustion periods. At an average blending ratio (60%) and 25 ℃/min heating rate, the blend actual mass loss rate has the largest difference compared to the linearly calculated mass loss rate (0.74%/min), with higher comprehensive combustion characteristic index (3.54), and the blends have better overall heat transfer, internally converging to 350 K. Meanwhile, when SS proportion in PC-SS-MSWIFA is between 20% and 30%, the emission concentration of SO2 and NO was low, and it has good environmental benefits. This research aims to offer theoretical support for the co-disposal of SS and MSWIFA.