Mobile incinerator
Encyclopedia
The role of incineration
of waste and equipment used for it has changed radically in the recent years. While they were formerly notorious as pollutant spewing technical monsters in the eyes of citizens' groups, nowadays, thermal waste treatment
facilities are considered to be the essential pillars of sustainable, forward-looking recycling
and raw material
sectors.
One benefit of thermal waste treatment facilities
is to avoid the yield of methane gas that is a by-product of decay that damages the climate
strongly. Another is the production of energy
during incineration
which helps protection of the environment
. Valuable resources will also be conserved by means of separation and exploitation of the recyclables in the waste before incineration
.
, waste can be disposed of, only if it was subject to a treatment
before, so that the substances contained in it will become inert, thus to a large extent no more harmful reactions with the environment
will occur in the landfill
body. The incineration process
takes a key role in the waste management
by fulfilling this requirement of the Waste Storage Regulation and the Landfill Regulation.
is to reduce the waste volume and destruction of potentially dangerous substances.
The incineration of waste is classified as an act of exploitation in the Waste Framework Directive
adopted in may 2008 newly. The waste that can be used for energy production is subject to the free trade policy and may be moved in the EU trans-boundary. The waste that is to be eliminated entirely, for example hazardous
and toxic waste
, must be disposed in the vicinity of their origin.
Since the volume of waste is growing continuously, landfilling does not seem to be a long-term solution for waste disposal.
To eliminate this volume, currently, only two approaches remain:
The first approach is waste incineration and the second one, which is probably the best solution, is waste avoidance in addition to re-utilization
by means of recycling
. That means, the reintroduction of valuable materials into the production cycle. This is possible only if economically feasible and environmentally acceptable methods are available.
of incinerators and incineration process focus on further improvements in energy efficiency
and the further savings of CO2. Engineers are working on several aspects of it, from the optimization of the fuel consumption of the plants, to increasing the efficiency
of the equipment. Similarly, they work for better techniques for utilization of rest materials and utilization of slag
and flying ash
. Today more than 80 percent of slag
and flying ash
are already being used, mainly in earth filling or in road construction.
.
The elimination of hazardous
and toxic waste
on site is one of the major uses of mobile incinerators.
A mobile incinerator unit is the most suitable product for countries that are starting to tackle waste management
, because in such cases, there are no previous statistics about the amount of waste and its composition. Therefore all initial data is based on assumptions only. Until more accurate data can be collected, mobile incinerator units help make the transition, with their mobility and flexibility.
. Modern incinerators enable complete and sterile incineration of waste. They can be operated virtually anywhere.
A modern mobile incinerator unit (MIU) is capable of incinerating waste at a temperature of up to 1200 °C (2,192 °F). This means, it is designed to incinerate all kinds of waste as well as infected hazardous waste
. This satisfies the requirement that, waste of hospitals and health facilities
must be burnt at a minimum temperature of 1100 °C (2,012 °F) acc. to the rules of environmental protection
. It can also be used to dispose of household waste, as a measure of environment protection.
This behavior makes it unique, and allows it to be used for waste disposal of several cities and/or hospitals at the same time.
Fighting against epidemics is a serious issue for authorities responsible for the health of their citizens in every country.
In case of an epidemic
it is required to dispose the infected
hazardous waste
of the disease
d, hospitals and health facilities as soon as possible.
Latest burner
and control technology
, together with a flue gas
cleaning system is the basis of a modern mobile incinerator unit that meets the highest environmental standard
s. (See section Emissions)
, diesel or biodiesel
(so called green fuel) is usable as fuel
for the mobile incinerators.
of a modern mobile incinerator plant consists of a main combustion
chamber (primary chamber) and a post combustion chamber (secondary chamber). Charging is carried out mostly from the front of the main combustion chamber through a feed opening system, which is closed by a gate valve
. A check valve
behind the feed opening prevents direct contact with the combustion chamber. Feeding is automatically controlled by a furnace
control system. An automated burner
serves for the heating of the combustion chamber subject to the calorific value of the waste charged. The feed opening is released as soon as the necessary flue gas temperature is reached. Two types of design are normally in use; a) an incinerator without grate and b) a rotary-kiln (pyrolysis
). In the post combustion chamber the gas is heated to minimum of 850 °C (1,562 °F) in order to ensure an environmentally friendly emission based on the European Union Directive
(85/337/EEC) on Environmental Impact Assessments
(known as the EIA Directive
).
The normal combustion temperature is minimum 850 °C (1,562 °F) and up to 1200 °C (2,192 °F), depending on the process settings. At the end of the thermal process, ash extraction is done through an ash door.
treatment plant. But there are devices available with a dry flue gas cleaning system according to the rigorous European standards. Such a flue gas system mainly consists of a dry sorption system for SO2
, HCI
, HF
, dust
reduction, heavy metals, dioxins
, etc. To protect the whole system, an automatic emergency water injection facility at the combustion chamber serves for the cooling of flue gas in case, too much waste or waste with too high calorific value is charged. Mobile incinerator units with such a system are environmental friendly.
and a water tank are mostly installed on or under the semi-trailer
.
, an emergency switch as well as all necessary safety catches, contactors, relays and clamps, key switches for the start up and so on. All measuring, controlling and adjusting functions are realized in a modern mobile incineration plant. There are some safety limits which are processed by the hardware of such a plant. For start-up and operation of the mobile units, most have their own electrical generator
on board for power supply
. The whole equipment has to comply with European (e.g. DIN
41494, DIN
41488) and/or international (e.g. IEC
Publication 297) standards.
regulation. Often, emissions are so low that they are well below the limits. This applies especially to the polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and furan
s (dioxins
and furan
s). In spite of sophisticated technology, it may happen that higher emission values are reached due to inhomogeneous fuel (waste composition), especially in the phases of start up, shut down and malfunction of a plant.
It should be emphasized however that these isolated instances of exceeding the limits has no effect on public health
since even these higher values are usually still within the limits permitted for other technical or chemical plants.
has a calorific value of approx. from 5000 kJ/kg to approx 12500 kJ/kg. Industrial waste shows much higher fluctuation. This inhomogeneity pose a problem during the thermal treatment of waste. The exact composition of waste that is subject to fluctuation can not usually be estimated initially but it shows its potential energy
as well as its pollutants during combustion
. sorting
the waste, recycling
and composting has significant influence on the composition of waste which in turn affects its heating value. The large possible variation in calorific value and composition of the waste require a highly complex automatic control
during the thermal treatment that must take into account both the reliability of the process and the requirements of environmental protection
. Since the requirements of environmental protection
and the reliability are contradictory to each other, there must be compromising solutions that are mutually acceptable for both sides. The parameters of O2 and CO concentration and fire room temperature are the main basic variables to be controlled when designing the process.
Incineration
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment". Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and...
of waste and equipment used for it has changed radically in the recent years. While they were formerly notorious as pollutant spewing technical monsters in the eyes of citizens' groups, nowadays, thermal waste treatment
Waste treatment
Waste treatment refers to the activities required to ensure that waste has the least practicable impact on the environment. In many countries various forms of waste treatment are required by law.-Solid waste treatment:...
facilities are considered to be the essential pillars of sustainable, forward-looking recycling
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
and raw material
Raw material
A raw material or feedstock is the basic material from which a product is manufactured or made, frequently used with an extended meaning. For example, the term is used to denote material that came from nature and is in an unprocessed or minimally processed state. Latex, iron ore, logs, and crude...
sectors.
One benefit of thermal waste treatment facilities
Waste treatment technologies
There a number of different waste treatment technologies for the disposal, recycling, storage, or energy recovery from different waste types. Each type has its own associated methods of waste management.-Landfill:...
is to avoid the yield of methane gas that is a by-product of decay that damages the climate
Climate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
strongly. Another is the production of energy
Energy
In physics, energy is an indirectly observed quantity. It is often understood as the ability a physical system has to do work on other physical systems...
during incineration
Incineration
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment". Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and...
which helps protection of the environment
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
. Valuable resources will also be conserved by means of separation and exploitation of the recyclables in the waste before incineration
Incineration
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment". Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and...
.
Trigger of development
Since 2005, in the European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, waste can be disposed of, only if it was subject to a treatment
Waste treatment
Waste treatment refers to the activities required to ensure that waste has the least practicable impact on the environment. In many countries various forms of waste treatment are required by law.-Solid waste treatment:...
before, so that the substances contained in it will become inert, thus to a large extent no more harmful reactions with the environment
Environment (biophysical)
The biophysical environment is the combined modeling of the physical environment and the biological life forms within the environment, and includes all variables, parameters as well as conditions and modes inside the Earth's biosphere. The biophysical environment can be divided into two categories:...
will occur in the landfill
Landfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
body. The incineration process
Incineration
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment". Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and...
takes a key role in the waste management
Waste management
Waste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...
by fulfilling this requirement of the Waste Storage Regulation and the Landfill Regulation.
Main purpose
The main purpose of incinerationIncineration
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment". Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and...
is to reduce the waste volume and destruction of potentially dangerous substances.
The incineration of waste is classified as an act of exploitation in the Waste Framework Directive
Waste framework directive
The Waste Framework Directive is an European Union Directive of 17 June 2008 . The first Waste Framework Directive dates back to 1975 and was substantially amended in 1991.The aim of the WFD was to lay the basis to turn the EU into a recycling society....
adopted in may 2008 newly. The waste that can be used for energy production is subject to the free trade policy and may be moved in the EU trans-boundary. The waste that is to be eliminated entirely, for example hazardous
Hazardous waste
A hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. According to the U.S. environmental laws hazardous wastes fall into two major categories: characteristic wastes and listed wastes.Characteristic hazardous wastes are materials that are known...
and toxic waste
Toxic waste
Toxic waste is waste material that can cause death or injury to living creatures. It spreads quite easily and can contaminate lakes and rivers. The term is often used interchangeably with “hazardous waste”, or discarded material that can pose a long-term risk to health or environment.Toxic waste...
, must be disposed in the vicinity of their origin.
Since the volume of waste is growing continuously, landfilling does not seem to be a long-term solution for waste disposal.
To eliminate this volume, currently, only two approaches remain:
The first approach is waste incineration and the second one, which is probably the best solution, is waste avoidance in addition to re-utilization
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
by means of recycling
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
. That means, the reintroduction of valuable materials into the production cycle. This is possible only if economically feasible and environmentally acceptable methods are available.
Forecast of future developments
The interest of new designDesign
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
of incinerators and incineration process focus on further improvements in energy efficiency
Efficient energy use
Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the goal of efforts to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. For example, insulating a home allows a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature...
and the further savings of CO2. Engineers are working on several aspects of it, from the optimization of the fuel consumption of the plants, to increasing the efficiency
Efficiency
Efficiency in general describes the extent to which time or effort is well used for the intended task or purpose. It is often used with the specific purpose of relaying the capability of a specific application of effort to produce a specific outcome effectively with a minimum amount or quantity of...
of the equipment. Similarly, they work for better techniques for utilization of rest materials and utilization of slag
Slag
Slag is a partially vitreous by-product of smelting ore to separate the metal fraction from the unwanted fraction. It can usually be considered to be a mixture of metal oxides and silicon dioxide. However, slags can contain metal sulfides and metal atoms in the elemental form...
and flying ash
Incinerator bottom ash
Incinerator bottom ash is a form of ash produced in incineration facilities. This material is discharged from the moving grate of municipal solid waste incinerators. Following combustion the ash typically has a small amount of ferrous metals contained within it. This ash can be processed to...
. Today more than 80 percent of slag
Slag
Slag is a partially vitreous by-product of smelting ore to separate the metal fraction from the unwanted fraction. It can usually be considered to be a mixture of metal oxides and silicon dioxide. However, slags can contain metal sulfides and metal atoms in the elemental form...
and flying ash
Incinerator bottom ash
Incinerator bottom ash is a form of ash produced in incineration facilities. This material is discharged from the moving grate of municipal solid waste incinerators. Following combustion the ash typically has a small amount of ferrous metals contained within it. This ash can be processed to...
are already being used, mainly in earth filling or in road construction.
Role of mobile incineration in the cycle of waste management
Mobile incinerators provide a useful addition to the available standards in waste managementWaste management
Waste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...
.
The elimination of hazardous
Hazardous waste
A hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. According to the U.S. environmental laws hazardous wastes fall into two major categories: characteristic wastes and listed wastes.Characteristic hazardous wastes are materials that are known...
and toxic waste
Toxic waste
Toxic waste is waste material that can cause death or injury to living creatures. It spreads quite easily and can contaminate lakes and rivers. The term is often used interchangeably with “hazardous waste”, or discarded material that can pose a long-term risk to health or environment.Toxic waste...
on site is one of the major uses of mobile incinerators.
A mobile incinerator unit is the most suitable product for countries that are starting to tackle waste management
Waste management
Waste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...
, because in such cases, there are no previous statistics about the amount of waste and its composition. Therefore all initial data is based on assumptions only. Until more accurate data can be collected, mobile incinerator units help make the transition, with their mobility and flexibility.
Description of mobile incinerators
A mobile incinerator is an incineration system mounted on a semi-trailerSemi-trailer
A semi-trailer is a trailer without a front axle. A large proportion of its weight is supported by a road tractor, a detachable front axle assembly known as a dolly, or the tail of another trailer...
. Modern incinerators enable complete and sterile incineration of waste. They can be operated virtually anywhere.
A modern mobile incinerator unit (MIU) is capable of incinerating waste at a temperature of up to 1200 °C (2,192 °F). This means, it is designed to incinerate all kinds of waste as well as infected hazardous waste
Hazardous waste
A hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. According to the U.S. environmental laws hazardous wastes fall into two major categories: characteristic wastes and listed wastes.Characteristic hazardous wastes are materials that are known...
. This satisfies the requirement that, waste of hospitals and health facilities
Medical facility
A medical facility is, in general, any location at which medicine is practiced regularly. Medical facilities range from small clinics and doctor's offices to urgent care centers and large hospitals with elaborate emergency rooms and trauma centers. The number and quality of medical facilities in a...
must be burnt at a minimum temperature of 1100 °C (2,012 °F) acc. to the rules of environmental protection
Environmental protection
Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the environment, on individual, organizational or governmental level, for the benefit of the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and our technology the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently...
. It can also be used to dispose of household waste, as a measure of environment protection.
Applications of mobile incineration units
- domestic wasteMunicipal solid wasteMunicipal solid waste , commonly known as trash or garbage , refuse or rubbish is a waste type consisting of everyday items we consume and discard. It predominantly includes food wastes, yard wastes, containers and product packaging, and other miscellaneous inorganic wastes from residential,...
, - industrial wasteIndustrial wasteIndustrial waste is a type of waste produced by industrial activity, such as that of factories, mills and mines. It has existed since the outset of the industrial revolution....
, - medical wasteMedical wasteMedical waste, also known as clinical waste, normally refers to waste products that cannot be considered general waste, produced from healthcare premises, such as hospitals, clinics, doctors offices, veterinary hospitals and labs.-Europe:...
, - cadaverCadaverA cadaver is a dead human body.Cadaver may also refer to:* Cadaver tomb, tomb featuring an effigy in the form of a decomposing body* Cadaver , a video game* cadaver A command-line WebDAV client for Unix....
or carrionCarrionCarrion refers to the carcass of a dead animal. Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters include vultures, hawks, eagles, hyenas, Virginia Opossum, Tasmanian Devils, coyotes, Komodo dragons, and burying beetles...
of animals and - solid and paste-like chemical residuesResidue (chemistry)In chemistry, residue is the material remaining after a distillation or an evaporation, or to a portion of a larger molecule, such as a methyl group. It may also refer to the undesired byproducts of a reaction....
with moisture content.
Arguments for mobile incineration
An important argument for the mobile incineration is, due to its mobility, it can go to the place of origin of the waste.This behavior makes it unique, and allows it to be used for waste disposal of several cities and/or hospitals at the same time.
Fighting against epidemics is a serious issue for authorities responsible for the health of their citizens in every country.
In case of an epidemic
Epidemic
In epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
it is required to dispose the infected
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
hazardous waste
Hazardous waste
A hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. According to the U.S. environmental laws hazardous wastes fall into two major categories: characteristic wastes and listed wastes.Characteristic hazardous wastes are materials that are known...
of the disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
d, hospitals and health facilities as soon as possible.
Latest burner
Oil burner
An oil burner is a heating device which burns fuel oil. The oil is atomized in to a fine spray usually by forcing it under pressure through a nozzle...
and control technology
Best Available Control Technology
Best available control technology is a pollution control standard mandated by the United States Clean Air Act. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determines what air pollution control technology will be used to control a specific pollutant to a specified limit...
, together with a flue gas
Flue gas
Flue gas is the gas exiting to the atmosphere via a flue, which is a pipe or channel for conveying exhaust gases from a fireplace, oven, furnace, boiler or steam generator. Quite often, the flue gas refers to the combustion exhaust gas produced at power plants...
cleaning system is the basis of a modern mobile incinerator unit that meets the highest environmental standard
Environmental standard
An environmental standard is a policy guideline that regulates the effect of human activity upon the environment. Standards may specify a desired state or limit alterations An environmental standard is a policy guideline that regulates the effect of human activity upon the environment. Standards...
s. (See section Emissions)
Fuel
Natural gasNatural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
, diesel or biodiesel
Biodiesel
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl esters. Biodiesel is typically made by chemically reacting lipids with an alcohol....
(so called green fuel) is usable as fuel
Fuel
Fuel is any material that stores energy that can later be extracted to perform mechanical work in a controlled manner. Most fuels used by humans undergo combustion, a redox reaction in which a combustible substance releases energy after it ignites and reacts with the oxygen in the air...
for the mobile incinerators.
Furnace
The furnaceFurnace
A furnace is a device used for heating. The name derives from Latin fornax, oven.In American English and Canadian English, the term furnace on its own is generally used to describe household heating systems based on a central furnace , and sometimes as a synonym for kiln, a device used in the...
of a modern mobile incinerator plant consists of a main combustion
Combustion
Combustion or burning is the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of chemical species. The release of heat can result in the production of light in the form of either glowing or a flame...
chamber (primary chamber) and a post combustion chamber (secondary chamber). Charging is carried out mostly from the front of the main combustion chamber through a feed opening system, which is closed by a gate valve
Gate valve
The gate valve, also known as a sluice valve, is a valve that opens by lifting a round or rectangular gate/wedge out of the path of the fluid. The distinct feature of a gate valve is the sealing surfaces between the gate and seats are planar, so gate valves are often used when a straight-line flow...
. A check valve
Check valve
A check valve, clack valve, non-return valve or one-way valve is a mechanical device, a valve, which normally allows fluid to flow through it in only one direction....
behind the feed opening prevents direct contact with the combustion chamber. Feeding is automatically controlled by a furnace
Furnace
A furnace is a device used for heating. The name derives from Latin fornax, oven.In American English and Canadian English, the term furnace on its own is generally used to describe household heating systems based on a central furnace , and sometimes as a synonym for kiln, a device used in the...
control system. An automated burner
Oil burner
An oil burner is a heating device which burns fuel oil. The oil is atomized in to a fine spray usually by forcing it under pressure through a nozzle...
serves for the heating of the combustion chamber subject to the calorific value of the waste charged. The feed opening is released as soon as the necessary flue gas temperature is reached. Two types of design are normally in use; a) an incinerator without grate and b) a rotary-kiln (pyrolysis
Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures without the participation of oxygen. It involves the simultaneous change of chemical composition and physical phase, and is irreversible...
). In the post combustion chamber the gas is heated to minimum of 850 °C (1,562 °F) in order to ensure an environmentally friendly emission based on the European Union Directive
European Union directive
A directive is a legislative act of the European Union, which requires member states to achieve a particular result without dictating the means of achieving that result. It can be distinguished from regulations which are self-executing and do not require any implementing measures. Directives...
(85/337/EEC) on Environmental Impact Assessments
Environmental impact assessment
An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects....
(known as the EIA Directive
Environmental impact assessment
An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects....
).
The normal combustion temperature is minimum 850 °C (1,562 °F) and up to 1200 °C (2,192 °F), depending on the process settings. At the end of the thermal process, ash extraction is done through an ash door.
Flue gas cleaning system
Not all available devices in the market have a flue gasFlue gas
Flue gas is the gas exiting to the atmosphere via a flue, which is a pipe or channel for conveying exhaust gases from a fireplace, oven, furnace, boiler or steam generator. Quite often, the flue gas refers to the combustion exhaust gas produced at power plants...
treatment plant. But there are devices available with a dry flue gas cleaning system according to the rigorous European standards. Such a flue gas system mainly consists of a dry sorption system for SO2
Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula . It is released by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Since coal and petroleum often contain sulfur compounds, their combustion generates sulfur dioxide unless the sulfur compounds are removed before burning the fuel...
, HCI
Hydrogen chloride
The compound hydrogen chloride has the formula HCl. At room temperature, it is a colorless gas, which forms white fumes of hydrochloric acid upon contact with atmospheric humidity. Hydrogen chloride gas and hydrochloric acid are important in technology and industry...
, HF
Hydrogen fluoride
Hydrogen fluoride is a chemical compound with the formula HF. This colorless gas is the principal industrial source of fluorine, often in the aqueous form as hydrofluoric acid, and thus is the precursor to many important compounds including pharmaceuticals and polymers . HF is widely used in the...
, dust
Dust
Dust consists of particles in the atmosphere that arise from various sources such as soil dust lifted up by wind , volcanic eruptions, and pollution...
reduction, heavy metals, dioxins
Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds
Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds are by-products of various industrial processes, and are commonly regarded as highly toxic compounds that are environmental pollutants and persistent organic pollutants . They include:...
, etc. To protect the whole system, an automatic emergency water injection facility at the combustion chamber serves for the cooling of flue gas in case, too much waste or waste with too high calorific value is charged. Mobile incinerator units with such a system are environmental friendly.
Fuel and water tank
A fuelFuel
Fuel is any material that stores energy that can later be extracted to perform mechanical work in a controlled manner. Most fuels used by humans undergo combustion, a redox reaction in which a combustible substance releases energy after it ignites and reacts with the oxygen in the air...
and a water tank are mostly installed on or under the semi-trailer
Semi-trailer
A semi-trailer is a trailer without a front axle. A large proportion of its weight is supported by a road tractor, a detachable front axle assembly known as a dolly, or the tail of another trailer...
.
Electrical, instrumentation and control equipment and its standards
The electrical, instrumentation and control equipment of such a modern incinerator unit includes a main switchSwitch
In electronics, a switch is an electrical component that can break an electrical circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another....
, an emergency switch as well as all necessary safety catches, contactors, relays and clamps, key switches for the start up and so on. All measuring, controlling and adjusting functions are realized in a modern mobile incineration plant. There are some safety limits which are processed by the hardware of such a plant. For start-up and operation of the mobile units, most have their own electrical generator
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
on board for power supply
Power supply
A power supply is a device that supplies electrical energy to one or more electric loads. The term is most commonly applied to devices that convert one form of electrical energy to another, though it may also refer to devices that convert another form of energy to electrical energy...
. The whole equipment has to comply with European (e.g. DIN
Din
DIN or Din or din can have several meanings:* A din is a loud noise.* Dīn, an Arabic term meaning "religion" or "way of life".* Din is one of the ten aspects of the Ein Sof in Kabbalah ....
41494, DIN
Din
DIN or Din or din can have several meanings:* A din is a loud noise.* Dīn, an Arabic term meaning "religion" or "way of life".* Din is one of the ten aspects of the Ein Sof in Kabbalah ....
41488) and/or international (e.g. IEC
International Electrotechnical Commission
The International Electrotechnical Commission is a non-profit, non-governmental international standards organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies – collectively known as "electrotechnology"...
Publication 297) standards.
Emissions of a modern mobile incinerator with a flue gas cleaning system
Under normal operation conditions, mobile incinerators are consistently able to keep emissions well below respective limits, for example in accordance to the German TA-LuftTA Luft
Germany has a well known air pollution control regulation titled "Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control" and commonly referred to as the TA Luft. The first version of the TA Luft was established in 1964. It has subsequently been revised in 1974, 1983, 1988 and 2002...
regulation. Often, emissions are so low that they are well below the limits. This applies especially to the polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and furan
Furan
Furan is a heterocyclic organic compound, consisting of a five-membered aromatic ring with four carbon atoms and one oxygen. The class of compounds containing such rings are also referred to as furans....
s (dioxins
Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds
Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds are by-products of various industrial processes, and are commonly regarded as highly toxic compounds that are environmental pollutants and persistent organic pollutants . They include:...
and furan
Furan
Furan is a heterocyclic organic compound, consisting of a five-membered aromatic ring with four carbon atoms and one oxygen. The class of compounds containing such rings are also referred to as furans....
s). In spite of sophisticated technology, it may happen that higher emission values are reached due to inhomogeneous fuel (waste composition), especially in the phases of start up, shut down and malfunction of a plant.
Legally permitted emission levels
The legally permitted emission levels usually are far above the actual emissions of pollutants if the emissions over a period of one year is considered.It should be emphasized however that these isolated instances of exceeding the limits has no effect on public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
since even these higher values are usually still within the limits permitted for other technical or chemical plants.
The impact of waste composition on emissions
Domestic wasteMunicipal solid waste
Municipal solid waste , commonly known as trash or garbage , refuse or rubbish is a waste type consisting of everyday items we consume and discard. It predominantly includes food wastes, yard wastes, containers and product packaging, and other miscellaneous inorganic wastes from residential,...
has a calorific value of approx. from 5000 kJ/kg to approx 12500 kJ/kg. Industrial waste shows much higher fluctuation. This inhomogeneity pose a problem during the thermal treatment of waste. The exact composition of waste that is subject to fluctuation can not usually be estimated initially but it shows its potential energy
Potential energy
In physics, potential energy is the energy stored in a body or in a system due to its position in a force field or due to its configuration. The SI unit of measure for energy and work is the Joule...
as well as its pollutants during combustion
Combustion
Combustion or burning is the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of chemical species. The release of heat can result in the production of light in the form of either glowing or a flame...
. sorting
Sorting
Sorting is any process of arranging items in some sequence and/or in different sets, and accordingly, it has two common, yet distinct meanings:# ordering: arranging items of the same kind, class, nature, etc...
the waste, recycling
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
and composting has significant influence on the composition of waste which in turn affects its heating value. The large possible variation in calorific value and composition of the waste require a highly complex automatic control
Automatic control
Automatic control is the application of concepts derived from the research area of modern control theory. Automatic control is also a technology for application of control strategies. The implementing requires prior of analyzing and modeling of the subject to be controlled...
during the thermal treatment that must take into account both the reliability of the process and the requirements of environmental protection
Environmental protection
Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the environment, on individual, organizational or governmental level, for the benefit of the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and our technology the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently...
. Since the requirements of environmental protection
Environmental protection
Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the environment, on individual, organizational or governmental level, for the benefit of the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and our technology the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently...
and the reliability are contradictory to each other, there must be compromising solutions that are mutually acceptable for both sides. The parameters of O2 and CO concentration and fire room temperature are the main basic variables to be controlled when designing the process.
Summaries of EU legislation
EUROPA > Summaries of EU legislation > Environment > Waste managementGeneral framework
- Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste
- Directive 2000/76/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 December 2000 on the incineration of waste
- Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2002 on waste statistics
- Directive 2006/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on waste. (From 11.12.2010 replaced by Directive 2008/98/EC)
- Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste
- Directive 2008/1/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control
- Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives
Hazardous waste
- Council Directive 91/689/EEC of 12 December 1991 on hazardous waste. (From 11.12.2010 replaced by Directive 2008/98/EC)
- Council Decision 93/98/EEC of 1 February 1993 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Community, of the Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal (Basel Convention)
- Council Decision 97/640/EC of 22 September 1997 on the approval, on behalf of the Community, of the amendment to the Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal (Basel Convention), as laid down in Decision III/1 of the Conference of the Parties
Waste from consumer goods
- Council Directive 75/439/EEC of 16 June 1975 on the disposal of waste oils. (From 11.12.2010 replaced by Directive 2008/98/EC)
- European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste
- Council Directive 96/59/EC of 16 September 1996 on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls (PCB/PCT).
- Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 September 2006 on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators and repealing Directive 91/157/EEC
See also
- EIA DirectiveEnvironmental impact assessmentAn environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects....
- GasificationGasificationGasification is a process that converts organic or fossil based carbonaceous materials into carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane. This is achieved by reacting the material at high temperatures , without combustion, with a controlled amount of oxygen and/or steam...
- German Institute for Standardization (Deutsches Institut für Normung)Deutsches Institut für Normungis the German national organization for standardization and is that country's ISO member body. DIN is a Registered German Association headquartered in Berlin...
- IncinerationIncinerationIncineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment". Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and...
- International Electrotechnical CommissionInternational Electrotechnical CommissionThe International Electrotechnical Commission is a non-profit, non-governmental international standards organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies – collectively known as "electrotechnology"...
- List of solid waste treatment technologies
- PyrolysisPyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures without the participation of oxygen. It involves the simultaneous change of chemical composition and physical phase, and is irreversible...
- Thermal treatmentThermal treatmentThermal treatment is a term given to any waste treatment technology that involves high temperatures in the processing of the waste feedstock. This commonly, although not exclusively involves the combustion of waste materials....
- Waste managementWaste managementWaste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...
- Waste-to-energyWaste-to-energyWaste-to-energy or energy-from-waste is the process of creating energy in the form of electricity or heat from the incineration of waste source. WtE is a form of energy recovery...
External links
- EUR-Lex, Access to European Union law.
- German Institute for Standardization (Deutsches Institut für Normung), Home Page.
- IBK, Technical experts for thermal processes.
- International Electrotechnical Commission, Home Page.
- TÜV, International technical auditors.
- Z+P, Mobile incinerators.