Publication detail

Efficient waste-to-energy system as a contribution to clean technologies

PAVLAS, M. TOUŠ, M.

Original Title

Efficient waste-to-energy system as a contribution to clean technologies

Type

journal article - other

Language

English

Original Abstract

This paper deals with the problem of efficient energy utilization in the field of thermal processing of waste (waste-to-energy). An up-to-date incineration plant cannot be considered as only waste disposal facility. The waste combustion (incineration) processes are accompanied by release of large amount of energy, that shall be effectively utilized (e.g. steam production and its export to consumers, power generation, cogeneration). In addition to the main purpose of incineration, i.e. treating the specified amount of waste, waste-to-energy systems are able to some extent substitute conventional energy production plants fired by fossil fuel and thus to contribute to solving global environmental problems. For example, methodology presented in Reference Document on the Best Available Techniques for Waste Incineration (BREF) can be used for assessment of plant performance from the view of energy utilization. This approach is based on evaluation of criterion Plant Efficiency. An existing incineration plant has been evaluated and results are presented and discussed. In the future, it has been expected that evaluation like this will be obligatory for every plant. The arrival of more and more sweeping environmental limits represents a driving force for retrofit. At the same time maximum heat recovery and efficient energy utilization should be required. Influence of different operational modes (type of waste incinerated, combustion temperature, air-preheating etc.) and lay-out of heat recovery system (e.g. cogeneration) on plant performance has been investigated. A mathematical model based on combination of basic auxiliary operations and simple thermodynamic models of heat engines has been created with the aid of a specific computational tool. Its conception is based on both requirements and experience coming from industry. The most serious problem of effectively running incineration plants consists in economical utilization of energy produced. Examples of integration into existing energy systems are shown and discussed.

Keywords

Waste processing - Incineration - Energy recovery - Waste to energy

Authors

PAVLAS, M.; TOUŠ, M.

RIV year

2009

Released

1. 2. 2009

ISBN

1618-954X

Periodical

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy

Year of study

11

Number

1

State

United States of America

Pages from

19

Pages to

29

Pages count

11

BibTex

@article{BUT48060,
  author="Martin {Pavlas} and Michal {Touš}",
  title="Efficient waste-to-energy system as a contribution to clean technologies",
  journal="Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy",
  year="2009",
  volume="11",
  number="1",
  pages="19--29",
  issn="1618-954X"
}