Enhancing the Performance of a Hazardous Waste Incineration Facility through the Usage of a Dedicated Application

Abstract

Thermal transformation of waste carried out in a rotary kiln is a complex process, usually involving hazardous waste. Due to the great diversity of these wastes and their specific properties, the process of their thermal transformation may be associated with various types of operational problems. The reasons for their occurrence include, among others, processes potentially affecting the deterioration of the condition of the rotary kiln lining. In order to minimize problems, a tool is proposed to support the work of incineration plant operators. This is an application that enables generation of input material portions in subsequent kiln feeds. It is characterized by wide functionality, including the ability to assign higher weights to selected parameters. The application is based on an algorithm that takes into account the key waste parameters from the point of view of the thermal process, which have been given specific value ranges. Two series of simulations were performed with the same assumptions except for change in the weight for one of the parameters in the second case. In the first series, the following ranges of the considered parameters were obtained: calorific value 14.96–20.66 MJ/kg, pH 5.59–8.11, content of alkaline salts 1.42–7.39, content of chlorine 1.1–3.83, content of halogens 0.08–0.97. In the second series of simulations, the favored parameter was the calorific value, which ranged from 17.08 MJ/kg to 18.69 MJ/kg. The range of values for the remaining parameters changed slightly, with all meeting the criteria. Application tests showed the generation of waste mixtures with parameters consistent with the established ranges.