Estimating source strengths of HCl and SO2 emissions in the flue gas from waste incineration

Abstract

HCl and SO2 emission is one of the major concerns related to municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI). In this study, a material flow analysis model was developed to estimate the HCl and SO2 concentrations in the MSWI flue gases (FGs), and their concentrations in the full-scale MSWI were monitored. The calculated concentrations of HCl and SO2 in the FG were 770–1300 mg/Nm3 and 150–640 mg/Nm3, respectively, in close agreement with the monitored values. More than 99% of Cl and 92% of S from the FG were captured into solid residues by the air pollution control (APC) systems. Moreover, since only 48.4%–67.5% of Cl and 21.3%–53.4% of S were transferred to the FG from the municipal solid waste (MSW), it was more reliable to estimate the source strengths and release amounts of HCl and SO2 in the FG based on the amounts of Cl and S in the APC residues (AR) and exhaust gas rather than in the MSW. This simple method is easily applicable and the estimated results could provide scientific basis for the appropriate design and operation of the APC systems as well as corrosion control of heat recovery systems.