Interactive analysis of waste recycling and energy recovery program in a small-scale incinerator

    Authors

    J. C. Chen; W. H. Chen; N. B. Chang; E. Davila;C. H. Tsai

    Comments

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    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

    WOS:000231794900011

    ISSN

    1047-3289

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