Title: Numerical simulation of Municipal Solid Waste incineration in a moving-grate furnace and the effect of waste moisture content

Authors: Yao Bin Yang, Vida N. Sharifi, Jim Swithenbank

Addresses: Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Sheffield University Waste Incineration Centre (SUWIC), Sheffield University, Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK. ' Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Sheffield University Waste Incineration Centre (SUWIC), Sheffield University, Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK. ' Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Sheffield University Waste Incineration Centre (SUWIC), Sheffield University, Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK

Abstract: Mathematical equations governing the physical and chemical processes in grate combustion systems are described and a full-scale municipal solid waste incinerator was simulated. The effects of waste moisture content as well as preheated air temperature have been assessed. Combustion efficiency around 98% was obtained for moisture levels less than 30% while moisture over 35% resulted in poor combustion efficiency. Depending on the waste moisture content, the maximum gas temperature ranges from 1240°C to 1510°C and the maximum solid temperature inside the packed-bed from 980°C to 1230°C. The main reaction zone thickness ranges from 250 mm to 350 mm along the bed height.

Keywords: wastes; packed-bed combustion; mathematical modelling; moisture content; simulation; municipal solid waste; waste incineration; moving-grate furnace; preheated air temperature; combustion efficiency; CFD; computational fluid dynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2007.013887

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2007 Vol.7 No.5, pp.261 - 273

Published online: 01 Jun 2007 *

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