Incineration Technology Research Articles

Energy recovery from municipal solid waste in Mauritius: Opportunities and challenges

Energy recovery from Municipal Solid Waste in Mauritius is considered as a solution to enhance the country's energy security and tackle imminent waste management issues. This study applies an Analytical Hierarchy Process model for identifying the best waste to energy technology, which can be set up in Mauritius while taking into consideration technical as well as sustainability indicators. Incineration, gasification, pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion, were considered for the purpose of this study. As a result of the analysis, anaerobic digestion was ranked as the prioritised technology when social acceptance indicator, identified as the critical criterion, was attributed a high weight. When the effects of the critical criterion was either attenuated or eliminated during the sensitivity analysis, incineration emerged as the preferred technology. A critical analysis revealed that higher environmental and economic gains are expected to be generated as a result of implementing incineration for energy recovery in Mauritius. Finally, a review of the barriers hampering the implementation of an incineration plant in Mauritius demonstrated that the uptake of this technology is constrained by social acceptability. However, if proper awareness is conducted, energy recovery from municipal solid waste using incineration technology can become an interesting project for the Mauritian economy.

ENERGY POTENTIAL FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE (MSW) FOR A DEVELOPING METROPOLIS

In many developing cities around the world, the shortage of energy and environmental degradation are currently two vital issues affecting sustainable development. The migration of people from villages to one of Africa’s rapidly growing city Lagos, Nigeria has led to the generation of tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) daily. This is one of the important contributors to environmental degradation. Harnessing the useful potential of MSW for power generation adopting the incineration technology will enhance the intermittent power supply and also help with waste management, which has threatening effect on the populace. Therefore this paper focuses on energy stored in waste generated and the power potential of this MSW through an energy recovery method to generate other forms of energy for use has an alternative energy. From the waste characterization exercise, the main components of the Lagos MSW were found to be food, metal and plastic; making the average moisture content of the MSW high. It was illustrated from analysis that a high power potential of over 10,000 MW can be obtained adopting the incineration process, starting with data from 2016 with an exponential increase over the years.

The potential of electrical power generation based on organic waste utilization at Tamangapa landfill Makassar

Waste is one of environmental pollution contributor. Waste utilization for electrical generation is an alternative solution. Based on existing data, average amount of waste at Tamangapa landfill Makassar in 2010-2016 were 223,637 tons. The organic waste was approximately 50%, around to 111,818 tons. With rotary kiln incinerator technology, the calculation result showed that existing organic waste (2010-2016) could to generate 29.678 MW of electrical power or 259,978.345 MWh of electrical energy. The prediction by trend analysis method states that in 2026, the amount of organic waste can reach 176,230,390 tons. It can generate 46.773 MW of electrical power or 409,735.657 MWh of electrical energy. This value is equivalent with construction of two distributed generation (DG) units with 2x30 MW capacities.

An evaluation of the potential of waste to energy technologies for residual solid waste in New South Wales, Australia

The state of New South Wales (NSW) accommodates the largest population in Australia and is responsible for more than one-third of all waste generated in the country. An effective and economical waste management can be achieved by using waste to energy (WtE) technologies to manage residual wastes and produce energy. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of the WtE technologies for energy recovery and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction in NSW. In this study, major streams of wastes (municipal solid waste, commercial & industrial waste, construction & demolition waste) in NSW were classified into combustible, non-combustible and food organic waste. Four waste management scenarios using different combinations of WtE technologies, such as landfilling with energy recovery, incineration and anaerobic digestion (AD) were applied to evaluate electricity generation and GHG emission potentials from all these wastes. The results indicated that by employing a combination of incineration and AD for combustible and food parts of residual waste in NSW about 4165 GWh of electricity could be generated annually, which is equivalent to about 5.9% of the total electricity generation in NSW. This conversion of WtE leads to a reduction of about 1.7 million tonnes of GHG emissions annually. In this way, about 3 million tonnes of residual waste could be diverted from landfills in NSW annually which would offer approximately 50% reduction in landfilled waste by weight. Findings of the study showed that employing incineration and AD technologies could exploit a considerable amount of energy from residual waste and mitigate GHG emissions. Furthermore, employing efficient WtE technologies would divert organic waste out of landfills, avoiding emissions from landfills and will contribute to a greater share of renewable energy production, thereby reducing emissions from fossil fuel power plants.

Investigation of potassium vapor time-resolved adsorption and potassium-sodium competitive adsorption by modified kaolinite

Frequent corrosion of heat transfer tubes in boilers, which was closely related to the massive corrosion sources, such as KCl and NaCl vapors in flue gas, restricted the safe and economic development of MSW incineration technology. This study attempted to alleviate corrosion by using the method of modified kaolinite adsorbing alkali vapors in furnace. Firstly, an ingenious alkali vapor adsorption platform with the advantage of simple operation and precise control was established. Based on this, the time-resolved adsorption of K vapors and the competitive adsorption of K/Na vapors by kaolinite and modified kaolinite were investigated. Four classical adsorption models were applied to mathematically describe the adsorption process. The pseudo-first order model was suitable for kaolinite and pseudo-second order model can be used to fit modified kaolinite. The corresponding rate-controlling steps were external mass transfer and chemisorption step. Accordingly, the equilibrium adsorption capacity of kaolinite and modified kaolinite was estimated as 17.41 and 32.30 mg/g, respectively. During the competitive adsorption of K/Na vapors, it was obvious that more K was captured by kaolinite than Na. It might be caused by the higher alkalinity of potassium, which had a higher tendency to react with acidic kaolinite. Maximum K-loading capacity of kaolinite occurred at the K/Na atomic ratio of approximately 1:1. After the structural calculation of alkali feldspar based on DFT, the most stable state of alkali feldspar occurred at the K/Na atomic ratio of 1:1, which might explain the maximum loading capacity at the K/Na ratio of 1:1.

Effective incineration of fuel-waste slurries from several related industries

This study is based on the analysis of a set of industrial sectors (coal processing, wood processing, transport, oil, and water treatment) in order to identify the amount and type of combustible waste suitable for incineration. The main ignition and combustion parameters of these wastes have been experimentally obtained from their direct individual incineration in the original form and as part of a slurry based on wastewater. It has been established that a set of parameters allow waste-derived fuel mixtures to compete with coal dust and fuel oil with an environmental advantage. In particular, the concentration of sulfur and nitrogen oxides in the combustion products of all the tested slurries is 1.5–3 times as low as that of coal dust. Most of the wastes in question do not provide such advantages when burnt individually. We have assessed the fire safety of fuel mixtures and analyzed the prospects of mass waste incineration technologies. The calculations show that about 14–20% of coal and oil can be saved annually by extensively involving industrial waste in the energy sector. The experimental results obtained are the basis for the development of useful technologies for the safe and efficient combustion of waste from different industries.

Management of Waste Treatment as an Alternative Energy Source and its Fiscal Support

In recent years, the management of waste treatment in Indonesia has become a critical issue among the stakeholders both in the government and the private sector. One way to significantly reduce waste in each region is to use incinerator technology. This technology has developed in Japan, South Korea and Europe. The burning of waste can produce electricity or the so-called waste to energy. However, to build a power plantthat utilizes waste requires policy support from the Central and Regional Governments. This study seeks to identify the types of support that Central and Regional Governments can provide to develop waste to energy.

Hazardous waste incineration in a rotary kiln: a review

Hazardous waste output in the world is increasing every year. To achieve higher efficiency and lower pollution, the incineration technology for hazardous waste needs to be studied further. This study mainly reviews the research progress in incineration, slagging, and pollutant emission in the rotary kiln in China and abroad in the last 10 years, and conducts a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the research. Considering that there are many variables involved in the incineration process, the incineration law cannot be validated in a limited timeframe by experiments. Researchers often use computer simulations to predict and verify the incineration process through experiments and to provide reference opinions for commercial operations. Through the analysis of the research progress in rotary kilns, it is observed that the basic research in rotary kilns is becoming mature. The latest research trend in rotary kilns is interdisciplinary and mixed research. From a new perspective, further research should be focused on a comparative analysis of the rotary kiln and the cement kiln, full life cycle assessment of the impact factors of rotary kiln on the environment, the impact of the factory treatment process on the workers’ health, etc. The research direction of rotary kiln in China and abroad for the future has been predicted reasonably.

Incineration technologies for various waste conditions

Waste to Energy is one of the solutions for the waste management widely used in the world. Since the Waste to Energy plant is an important infrastructure for local waste management, it should be reliable. To realize the reliability of the plant, it is necessary to choose and apply appropriate technologies in accordance with waste condition. Waste condition, like mass flow, heat value and compositions, varies widely depending on the local characteristics, waste management system, economical status, population, life style and so on. Waste to Energy technical should adapt to such variation. Steinmüller moving forward grate owned by Steinmüller Babcock Environment GmbH (SBENG) and Nippon Steel & Sumikin Engineering Co., Ltd. (NSENGI) has been developed as high-efficient waste to energy technologies with approximately 500 reference plants and long-time experience. The history had started from Europe, and it has been extended to all over the world including Asia. Nowadays, more opportunities can be seen in Asia. This paper introduces technical measures and application criteria for various waste conditions. Modification of the length and width of grate system can cover various scales of waste flow. For the variation of waste property and compositions, it is corresponded by means of grate cooling system, combustion chamber design, combustion air condition and other related technologies. These technologies can be the solutions for Asian waste conditions. Appropriate combination of these technologies can contribute for the development of waste to energy in Asia.

The Study on Controlled Process of Sludge Disposal Incineration

The sludge incineration technology has become a mainstream of sludge disposal, and it is becoming more and more popular all over the world. According to the domestic research, the paper presents the sludge incinerator control components and control process, and points out the core technology.

Kırsal Bölgelerde Tarımsal Atıkların Kontrolü ve Yenilenebilir Biyokütle Enerji Teknolojileri İle Sera Gazı Emisyonlarının Azaltım Potansiyelinin İncelenmesi

Günümüzde birbiriyle doğrudan ilişkisi olan “enerji üretimi” ve “küresel iklim değişikliği ile mücadele” çözüm bekleyen en önemli çevresel problemlerin başında gelmektedir. Yenilenebilir ve sürdürülebilir enerji kaynakları bu problemin çözümü için en uygun alternatifleri sunmaktadır. Türkiye‘de önemli bir hammadde potansiyeli olan yenilenebilir ve sürdürülebilir enerji kaynaklarından “Biyokütle enerjisi”; biyogazdan elektrik üretiminde, biyodizel, biyoetanol, biyobütanol gibi biyoyakıt üretiminde ve gazifikasyon-yakma teknolojisinden elektrik üretimi gibi teknolojilerde kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada; başlıca ekonomik kaynağı tarım ve hayvancılık olan Niğde‘nin Çukurkuyu beldesinde tarımsal faaliyetlerden oluşan tarımsal atıkların yenilebilir elektrik enerjisi üretim yöntemlerinden biri olan yakma teknolojisi ile değerlendirilmesi hesaplanmıştır. Çalışmada beldede oluşan atıklardan yenilenebilir elektrik enerjisi üretimi için fizibilite çalışması yapılmış ve elde edilen verilerle yenilenebilir elektrik üretim potansiyeli belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca bu çalışmada hammadden üretilen elektrik enerjisinin fosil yakıt denkliği belirlenerek sera gazı emisyonu azaltım potansiyeli ortaya konmuştur. Böylelikle hem tarımsal atık yönetimi yapılırken hem de fosil yakıtlara alternatif olarak yenilenebilir kaynaklardan enerji üretimi belirlenmiştir.

Conceptual matrix for the biofuels of the future applicable to the Romanian economy

Romania is in a full process of development in regards to producing energy from renewable sources. Successes have been recorded in the wind and hydro sectors, however, challenges are still to be solved in the field of biofuels. In previous years, research and investments targeting facilities that make use of a larger range of renewable fuels and their respective incineration technologies were carried out. The experience thus gained allows for a redefinition of the range of fuels which can constitute cost-worthy power producing solutions. Defining the renewable fuels of the future is of utmost importance for a country with a significant agricultural potential, but also with a temperate climate. After eliminating some cultures specific to warmer climates and not taking into account the quantity/price ratio, the current paper highlights a synthetic approach (a matrix) to the fuels of the future applicable to the power sector in Romania. At the definition base for the matrix also stands data gained from the experience of the researchers in the respective domain.

Authoritarian cooptation of urban protests in China: normative, cognitive, and regulatory controls through the media

The Chinese government’s practice in tackling large-scale urban protests in recent years indicates a new trend in political cooptation, which differs from its traditional handling of contentious politics. This study explores the mechanisms of authoritarian cooptation by analyzing the government’s handling of the anti-incineration protests in Guangzhou in 2011–2012. The results of the textual analysis and the data collected in in-depth interviews suggest that the government strategically applied normative, cognitive, and regulatory controls as mechanisms of authoritarian cooptation. Specifically, the government promoted public trust through the normative cooptation of the media, thereby fostering the image of a responsive government. It also used the strategy of cognitive cooptation to divert the issue from waste incineration to waste sorting, thus convincing journalists and the public of the safety and scientificity of the incineration technology based on endorsements by expert advice. The strategy of regulatory cooptation was applied when the government made compulsory the enforcement of projects and regulated media content. Consequently, the protest was fragmented and dispersed, and the mobilization of the movement was undermined.

Assessment of Different Technologies for Managing Yard Waste Using Analytic Hierarchy Process

The heterogeneity of solid waste generated by a large population of different socio-economic backgrounds in India makes it difficult to have a universal best treatment option. The present study reports a comprehensive assessment of six different technologies for managing yard waste using analytic hierarchy process (AHP): composting, incineration, landfill, anaerobic digestion, pelletization-gasification, and pelletization-pyrolysis. Four criteria, namely, environmental, economic, technical, and socio-political have been considered for evaluation, with each of these having further sub-criteria. The 4 criteria, 17 sub-criteria, and the 6 alternatives are evaluated using AHP for two different cases: one for calculated weights based on the objective, and other assuming equal weights for each criterion and sub-criterion. The pairwise comparison matrices are formed using data collected from literature and the responses recorded from the questionnaire survey. The results are then synthesized to find the most appropriate process for managing yard waste. For both, case 1 and case 2, pelletization-gasification (PG) was the most promising technology followed by pelletization-pyrolysis (PP). Landfill (LF) and incineration (IN) technologies proved to be the least preferred alternatives for managing yard waste. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the effect of variation in importance of different criteria on the final rankings of the technology alternatives.

Identification of Risk Factors Affecting PPP Waste-to-Energy Incineration Projects in China: A Multiple Case Study

Waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration technologies are considered an effective solution for sustainable and efficient municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal in China, and the public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement has been widely used to construct and operate WTE incineration projects. However, PPP WTE incineration projects in China are affected by numerous risks due to the long concession period, various participants, and other factors commonly involved in PPPs, resulting in a number of failures. In light of the pivotal role that risk identification, analysis, and response play in the successful development of PPP WTE incineration projects, this paper presents a multiple case study to identify the risk factors involved in China by drawing on experience from the real-life risk events of 35 PPP WTE incineration plants. 18 risk factors are identified; the most critical of which being public opposition risk, environmental pollution risk, government decision-making risk, a defective legal and regulatory system, and MSW supply risk. The results of the study provide a solid foundation for the future risk analysis, risk allocation, and risk response of PPP WTE incineration projects, and shed light on performance improvement of the PPP WTE incineration projects as well as the development of the PPP WTE industry in China.

Characteristics of filterable and condensable particulate matter emitted from two waste incineration power plants in China

Incineration technology is an effective treatment method for municipal solid waste (MSW). In this study, fine particulate matter emissions from two waste incineration power plants (WIPP) were characterized. Both filterable particulate matter (FPM2.5) and condensable particulate matter (CPM2.5) were collected using a direct sampling method. The FPM2.5 concentrations from stacks #1 and #2 in WIPP A were 0.87 ± 0.10 and 0.68 ± 0.19 mg/m3, respectively, and 3.30 ± 0.65 mg/m3 was measured at stack #3 in WIPP B. Fe was the most abundant elemental component in the FPM2.5, followed by Na, Ca, Al, and K. Ca2+, SO42−, Cl−, and NH4+ accounted for the largest fraction of the total detected water-soluble ions in the FPM2.5. In the CPM2.5, Na was the most abundant elemental component, followed by Ca, Mg, and K. The total detected water-soluble ions accounted for 22.2% and 27.3% of the CPM2.5 collected from stack #1 and #2, respectively. High concentrations of NH4+ and NO3− were found in CPM2.5, which could be derived from the escape of excessive NH3 in the denitrification unit and that of the NOx in the flue gas, respectively. Alcohols, aromatic compounds, and ketones were the major organic species in the CPM2.5. Both fly ash and bottom ash were collected from WIPP A. Ca was the dominant element, followed by K, Mg, Na, and Fe. The enrichment of elements in the fly ash and bottom ash were analyzed. The enrichment factors of most elements were higher than 1, except for the Ti and Sn in the bottom ash. The fly ash had a higher enrichment of Cd, As, and Ti than the bottom ash. In contrast, Cu, Ni, and Cr had higher enrichments in the bottom ash because of their low volatility.

Evaluation of flue-gas treatment technologies for municipal waste incineration: A case study in Changzhou, China

Abstract With increasing trends in using municipal waste incineration (MWI) technologies, more consideration has been given to the problem of harmful byproducts in its flue. In 2014, a new national standard for pollution control of municipal solid waste incineration was released by the Chinese government, which also gives guidance to local governments to establish their own standards. In order to evaluate whether the treatment technologies for MWI flue gas can both meet the new standard and have overall positive environmental impacts across whole life cycle, a waste life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted for flue gas to compare treatment technologies employed in MWI plants. Based on a case study of a plant in Changzhou China, a model was established using three combinations of technologies: (a) Spray semi dry reactor + activated carbon + filter bag (Scenario 1); (b) Spray semi dry reactor + dry deacidification reactor + activated carbon + filter bag (Scenario 2); (c) selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) + spray semi dry reactor + dry deacidification reactor + activated carbon + filter bag (Scenario 3). The study has wide policy implications on how the industry is, or should be, regulated. Normalized results revealed that technologies used in Scenarios 1 and 2 had less overall impacts on the environment and less direct impact from emissions than those of Scenario 3. Energy-conservation and emission reduction index showed that Scenario 2 best fits current conditions and policy goals about energy consumption and air pollutant emission, despite recent regulations for the requirement of including SNCR in incineration plants. The most significant limiting factor is NOx, which is in alignment with the results of policy analysis. Integrated analysis showed that although Scenario 2 is the best choice under current circumstances, further improvement in technology are likely to meet with new standards. Policy-makers should comprehensively consider the environmental impacts of the entire life cycle instead of the one-size-fits all standard.

Waste processing building with incineration technology

In Indonesia, waste problem is one of major problem of the society in the city as part of their life dynamics. Based on Regional Medium Term Development Plan of South Sulawesi Province in 2013-2018, total volume and waste production from Makassar City, Maros, Gowa, and Takalar Regency estimates the garbage dump level 9,076.949 m3/person/day. Additionally, aim of this design is to present a recommendation on waste processing facility design that would accommodate waste processing process activity by incineration technology and supported by supporting activity such as place of education and research on waste, and the administration activity on waste processing facility. Implementation of incineration technology would reduce waste volume up to 90% followed by relative negative impact possibility. The result planning is in form of landscape layout that inspired from the observation analysis of satellite image line pattern of planning site and then created as a building site pattern. Consideration of building orientation conducted by wind analysis process and sun path by auto desk project Vasari software. The footprint designed by separate circulation system between waste management facility interest and the social visiting activity in order to minimize the croos and thus bring convenient to the building user. Building mass designed by inseparable connection series system, from the main building that located in the Northward, then connected to a centre visitor area lengthways, and walked to the waste processing area into the residue area in the Southward area.

Waste to Energy Solution – The Sludge Treatment Facility in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is the owner and project proponent of the Sludge Treatment Facility (STF), a facility dedicated to treating sewage sludge. The Contract to design, build and operate the STF was awarded to VW-VES (HK) Limited (a subsidiary of Veolia), and Jacobs China Limited was appointed to act as the Employer’s Representative in October 2010. The construction of the STF was substantially completed in 2015 and it was put into operation on 1 April 2015.The STF, featuring state-of-art incineration technology, provides for a sustainable sewage sludge treatment solution, with a view to maximizing the reduction on disposal of the sludge to landfill. In consideration of the diminishing landfill space, the STF is designed to have a capacity of treating 2,000 tonnes per day, thereby reducing the mass of the sludge by 90%.The STF is also on another green mission – to convert waste into renewable energy harnessing the heat from the incineration process to generate electricity, resulting in the provision of all power for the daily on-site operations, with the design allowing the export of surplus power to the local grid. The STF also includes facilities for the production of both process and potable water as well as being able to treat all waste water for use on-site. This adopted design makes the STF a self-sustainable facility with no incoming water supply and outfall for wastewater.As well as the abovementioned technical aspects, the STF serves as a community facility. An environmental education centre located inside the STF showcases the technology used within the STF to convert waste-to-energy, and also to promote public awareness of various environmental issues in Hong Kong. There is also a diverse range of recreational and open areas (e.g. spa and garden) for the public to experience the benefits of waste-to-energy. Since the opening of the EEC on 29 June 2016, the number of visitors has exceeded 72,000.

Electric power generation from municipal solid waste: A techno-economical assessment under different scenarios in Iran

Due to the increasing rate of municipal waste generation, Waste-to-Energy technologies for waste management have been noticed in the last two decades. The objective of the present study was to investigate and review the sensitivity analysis of different scenarios for choosing an effective and efficient technology using a gasification or incineration system from municipal solid waste in Iran. The challenge was to find the best suitable scenario according to economic aspects. For this purpose, factors of the costs of waste disposal (gate fee) and electricity power purchase agreement in the economic recovery plan for the two technologies (waste gasification and incineration) were evaluated. The investigation data analysis showed significant difference between gasification and incineration technologies. Due to the higher efficiency of gasification technology compared to incineration technology, scenarios of energy recovery from waste by gasification technology, taking into account the effect of gate fee or electricity power purchase agreement (scenario 5 and 6) were the best scenario among the evaluated scenarios. The calculation indicates that the most appropriate of payback periods for gasification technology 4.17 and 4.06 years in the gate fee of US$ 0.126 and electricity power purchase agreement of US$ 0.276, respectively.