Improving waste-incineration energy recovery efficiency using a reverse calculation algorithm to estimate waste composition and heating value

• Published in: Waste management (Elmsford) 2024-12, Vol.190, p.486-495
• Main Authors: Lim, Minseob, Lee, Youngjae, Lee, Yongwoon, Yang, Won, Kim, Seongil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; energy recovery; Energy recovery efficiency; Heating - methods; Heating value; Incineration - methods; Incineration heat energy; incinerators; Models, Theoretical; prediction; Refuse Disposal - methods; simulation models; Waste composition; waste incineration; Waste incinerator; wastes
• ISSN: 0956-053X; 1879-2456; 1879-2456
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.10.014

•We developed an algorithm for predicting heating value and composition of waste.•Measurement points were suggested for optimal waste management.•Heating value and composition of waste were derived.•Operating strategy is proposed to improve energy recovery efficiency.•This methodology can contribute to optimal operation of waste incinerator plants. The heating value and composition of waste are crucial operational variables for understanding waste incinerators behavior and optimizing their operation. However, because the heating value and composition of waste are highly variable, their prediction in waste incineration plants is difficult. To overcome this issue, this study developed a novel method to derive heating value and composition waste via a reverse calculation algorithm using operating data and physics-based model. In addition, a process simulation model was developed to predict the performance of waste incinerator systems. We derived heating values and compositions of waste in the target incinerator using the supposed method and proposed an operating strategy to improve the energy recovery efficiency of the waste incinerator through the process simulation model. The energy recovery efficiency increased by approximately 10 % relative to that of the existing incinerator operation. The methodology developed in this study can be applied to various incinerator systems. Our study findings contribute to establishing an optimal operation of a waste incinerator by calculating the heating value and composition of waste.