Analysis of using gasification and incineration for thermal processing of wastes

The contribution discusses the possibility of utilising gasification as the first part of a two-stage waste thermal treatment technology. The application of gasification brings a number of improvements over the conventional oxidising approach. These include e.g. the fact that the primary thermal waste decomposition is performed under temperatures below the melting point of the ash material as well as that substantial savings of the auxiliary fuel in the after-burner chamber are achieved by exploiting the heat value of the gasification products. In experiments gasification specifications and composition of products are studied. The gasification was carried out within the temperature range 800-860degreesC and in the presence of air entering at stoichiometric ratios between 0.15 and 0.25. The waste was mostly a mixture of shredded textiles and rubber, with a heat value of 33 MJ/kg. The model equipment could treat maximum 40 kg of waste per hour. Based on the results of the waste gasification testing, heat and mass balances of the incineration plant with capacity of 10 kt/y of industrial waste were evaluated and the results compared with conditions required in an incineration plant operating under an oxidation regime. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.