INCINERATION OF XYLENE SORBENT PACKS - A STUDY OF CONDITIONS AT THE EXIT OF A FULL-SCALE INDUSTRIAL INCINERATOR

The dynamic response at the exit of an industrial incinerator to the batch loading of single plastic packs containing a xylene/sorbent mixture is presented. Average values of continuously recorded O2, CO2, CO, total hydrocarbon, and temperature are presented from two locations on a vertical cross section near the exit of the kiln. Data are compared for several operating modes including standard operation (without injection of turbulent air) and operation with tangentially oriented turbulent air injected at the closed end of the kiln. During each operating mode, data are also compared for two kiln rotation rates. Details accompanying the decomposition of a single pack, comparing the temporal responses of selected parameters with video images obtained from a viewport near the exit of the kiln, are reported. The data provide a much clearer picture, than heretofore possible, of conditions that exist in an industrial rotary kiln incinerator during treatment of periodically fed plastic packs. Considerable stratification is observed at the kiln exit during the treatment of the plastic packs for all operating conditions of the study. Significant bursts of xylene evolution, associated with pack dissolution and bed slumping, are inferred from continuous measurements of stable species and temperature, and also visual observation. Even during the most vigorous bursts, the incinerator stack emissions remained well within regulatory limits.