Print this page Thermal Processing of Domestic Solid Waste Part 1 of 2 – Combustion Processes
Walter R. Niessen, P.E., B.C.E.E.
Course Outline
This course assumes a basic understanding of chemistry and mathematics and their application in combustion systems to the level provided in the two-part PDHonline course: Fundamentals of Combustion. It presumes basic engineering analysis perspectives but, through text and examples guides the student an understanding of the processes and interactions of combustion-type domestic waste incineration systems. The course includes:
- The basics characteristics of domestic solid waste;
- The design and operating features of components of waste combustion systems (beyond those of Part 2 of the Fundamentals of Combustion course);
- Mass burn incineration; and
- Refuse derived fuel (RDF) incineration.
Part 2 of the course carries the student further into the emerging class of domestic waste thermal processes: Conversion systems which process the waste to an intermediate fuel gas which can then be burned or used as a chemical feedstock.
This course includes
a multiple choice quiz at the end,
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Learn the basic pattern and elements in bringing a new waste-to-energy system into being;
- Learn the key characteristics of domestic solid waste;
- Learn the historical patterns of growth in waste generation and disposition;
- Learn the historical patterns of domestic waste composition;
- Learn the significant chemical, thermal and environmental properties of mixed waste and waste components as they impact on combustion systems and air emissions;
- Review the key materials handling properties of waste (MSW, RDF and densified RDF);
- Understand the overall system characteristics (Maximum Continuous Rating) defining incinerator operations;
- Understand the Firing Diagram that summarizes the performance envelope of incinerator operations;
- Understand the elements of selection of plant sites;
- Understand the alternatives and characteristics of waste receipt, storage and feeding systems;
- Understand the alternatives and characteristics of incinerator combustion alternatives (grates, hearths and fluidized beds);
- Understand the alternatives and characteristics of incinerator enclosures;
- Understand the alternatives and characteristics of incinerator ash and ash processing systems;
- Understand the alternatives and characteristics of incinerator air pollution control systems;
- Understand the alternatives and characteristics of RDF-type incineration systems; and
- Understand the alternatives and characteristics of modular-type incineration systems.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for civil, environmental, mechanical and chemical engineers involved with or about to be involved with the incineration of municipal solid waste.
Benefit to Attendees
The course gives practicing engineers, regulators, and permit specialists the basic tools to understand the elements of domestic solid waste incineration systems applicable to design and the preparation of permit documents.
Course Introduction
Purification by fire is an ancient concept, its applications for domestic solid wastes noted in the earliest chapters of recorded history. Modern application of these high temperature processes to achieve this end reflect the increasing awareness by modern health and environmental professionals of the importance of effective sanitation; of the achievement of high levels of destruction of organic matter; and of the substantial neutralization of the hazards associated with highly volatile combustible materials. However, for domestic waste, the primary focus is on volume reduction with the associated benefits in residue landfill requirements and residue hauling quantities and costs.
Often, engineers with little academic training in incineration facilities are thrust into assignments where this training gap becomes critical. This course and its predecessor course pair on Combustion Fundamentals provide an understanding of the waste and hardware characteristics for this important public works service.
Course Content
In this lesson, you are required to download and study the following course content in PDF format:
Thermal Processing of Domestic Solid Waste Part 1 of 2 – Combustion Processes
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Course Summary
This course attempts to answer the question: What is a municipal incinerator? In the early years of refuse incineration in the United States, incinerators were uncomplicated refractory furnaces equipped with metal grates (drawn in most respects from existing coal furnace designs) to move the waste into and through the burning chambers and with (looking back) incredibly simple controls and inefficient air pollution abatement. The 1970's saw the emergence of a new incineration concept: high pressure, waterwall boilers that produced superheated steam that was fed to turbo-generators for power generation (Waste-to-Energy or WTE plants) and equipped with sophisticated process control systems and costly, highly efficient air pollution control. This is the technology that dominates the existing inventory of incineration systems throughout the world.
The course begins with a review of the key characteristics of domestic solid waste followed by the options in mass burn incinerator components and system designs and the special characteristics of RDF-based combustion systems. The details of RDF preparation technology is left to other books [1].
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers http://www.asme.com/
Air and Waste Management Association http://www.awma.com/
Combustion Engineering Association http://www.cea.com.uk/
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
