Long-Duration Thermal Decomposition of Waste based upon existing coke and plasma technology

Abstract

The current global problem of accumulation of municipal solid waste (MSW) and a possible way to solve it is considered. To date, there are different ways to treat MSW: recycling (processing), incineration and disposal. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. Waste disposal is the least environmentally safe method, but now it is the main one in Russia because of its availability. This article proposes a scheme for recycling MSW, which is based on already existing coke, energy and plasma technologies. Within the scheme thermal destruction of waste is carried out in a coke battery, and the subsequent melting of the residue is carried out using plasma technologies (in an electric arc furnace or in an open bucket with heating from the plasmatron). The plasma module, in which the melting takes place, can be implemented both with the circuit in question and attached to an existing incinerator. The result of melting is a low-grade stone that does not need to be buried. Gases released from MSW in the process of thermal destruction, after deep cleaning, are used to generate electricity. The source of thermal energy required for the operation of the proposed scheme for recycling solid waste is thermal power plants using natural gas as fuel. The interaction between the flue gases passing through the coke oven battery and leaving the TPP with coke oven gases is excluded due to the design features of the coke oven battery. This allows you to dramatically reduce the amount of gas to be deep cleaning, which significantly reduces the cost of cleaning equipment. The use of coke-oven batteries of modern design minimizes environmental pollution. The article assesses the energy consumption for the implementation of the proposed scheme for a plant processing 100 thousand tons of solid waste per year. The source of thermal energy for which is the standard unit of thermal power plants with a capacity of 500 MW. It is shown that working in conjunction with a waste recycling plant changes the heat balance of TPPs by no more than 10%.