Title
Interactive analysis of waste recycling and energy recovery program in a small-scale incinerator
Abbreviated Journal Title
J. Air Waste Manage. Assoc.
Keywords
COMBUSTION CHARACTERISTICS; EMISSION; PCDD/F; HEAT; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences; Meteorology &; Atmospheric Sciences
Abstract
Conflicting goals affecting solid waste management are explored in this paper to find the best implementation of resource recovery with a small-scale waste-to-energy process. Recycling paper and plastic material often leaves a shortage of thermal energy to support incineration that forces operators to supplement the process with auxiliary fuels. Although there are considerable profits to be made from material recovery, the increase of fuel usage causes conflict given that it is cost prohibitive. A series of trials performed on a small-scale 1.5-t/day incineration plant with a cyclone heat recovery system found that material recycling can impede performance. Experimental results are expressed as empirical regression formulas with regard to combustion temperature, energy transfer, and heat recovery. Process optimization is possible if the waste moisture content remains < 30%. To test the robustness of the optimization analysis, a series of sensitivity analyses clarify the extent of material recycling needed with regard to plastic, paper, and metal. The experiments also test whether the moisture in the waste would decrease when recycling paper because of its exceptional capacity to absorb moisture. Results show that recycling paper is strongly recommended when the moisture content is > 20%, whereas plastic recycling is not necessary at that moisture condition. Notably, plastic recovery reduces the heat needed to vaporize the water content of the solid waste, thus it is recommended only when the moisture content is < 10%. For above-normal incineration temperatures, plastic recycling is encouraged, because it removes excess energy. Metal is confirmed as an overall priority in material recycling regardless of the moisture content of the incoming waste.
Journal Title
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association
Volume
55
Issue/Number
9
Publication Date
1-1-2005
Document Type
Article
Language
English
First Page
1356
Last Page
1366
WOS Identifier
ISSN
1047-3289
Recommended Citation
"Interactive analysis of waste recycling and energy recovery program in a small-scale incinerator" (2005). Faculty Bibliography 2000s. 5058.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib2000/5058
Comments
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