Cost incinerator systems

Volumetric Flow Rate The equipment size is normally dictated by its capacity and is therefore directly related to investment costs. Incineration systems are capable of handling large amounts of waste gases and are often the most cost-effective method when handling large flows. Adsorption systems can handle large volumes of gases, provided that the gas stream is fairly dilute. Absorption will... 

In the summer of 1987, the Oxygen Combnstion System (OCS) was used to enhance the performance of the U.S. EPA s Mobile Incineration System. The OCS, along with other system modifications, helped double the feed rate of the MIS. According to the ERA, material processing costs were reduced from 2800 per ton before OCS installation to 1100 per ton after installation... 

In 1993, the vendor estimated procurement and construction costs of a full-scale (1000 kg/hr) PHP system for the treatment of mixed and hazardous wastes would be approximately 2 million. The largest development costs are associated with U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) quality trial burn testing and radioactive demonstration testing. Permitting costs are expected to be similar to that required for an incinerator system (D12887U, pp. 5-6). 

Reduced incineration system capital and operating costs... 

The dry product is primarily collected in cyclone collectors (a few bag houses still remain), sieved, and finally packaged in moisture barrier containers. The exit air from the dryer often has to be treated to meet local pollution control laws. While many of the older dryers use gas incineration, as energy costs have increased these incineration systems have become quite costly to operate. New dryer installations use scrubbing systems (e.g., aqueous/chemical sprays) to remove entrained solids and gaseous volatile flavors. 

The process to select a technology for the Pueblo Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (PUCDF) was defined in a notice of intent (NOI) published in the Federal Register on April 20, 2000. Environmental impact statements required by the National Environmental Policy Act will be developed for all the candidate technologies. The final choice will be made by the DoD from the technologies certified to be as safe and cost efficient as the baseline incineration system, as well as capable of completing destruction of the Pueblo stockpile either by the CWC treaty deadline (April 29, 2007) or the date that would be achievable by the baseline system, whichever is later. The decision tentatively will be made in early fiscal year 2002. 

ESTIMATED INVESTMENT COSTS FOR 18.2 METRIC TON (20 TONS/DAY) MODULAR INCINERATION SYSTEM... 

COSTS OF SMALL MODULAR REFUSE INCINERATION SYSTEM Design capacity is 18.2 metric ton/day (20 ton/day)... 

ESTIMATED INVESTMENT COSTS FOR LARGE MODULAR REFUSE INCINERATION SYSTEMS WITH HEAT RECOVERY... 

COST OF LARGE MODULAR REFUSE INCINERATOR SYSTEMS... 

Incineration System (Option 1). The system flow diagram is shown in Figure 1. About 70.5 percent of the heat of the municipal refuse is recovered in the form of steam (265°C). A portion of the steam is used in the auxiliary equipment in the incineration system such as the air heater. The efficiency of the low pressure turbine generator is about 0.21. Utilities for the operation of the system and operating costs are listed in Table IV. The caustic soda solution costs to meet the air pollution standards are high. 

Incineration processes, especially as built and operated for the destruction of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile, are complex and expensive. For example, the Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS), the first of the baseline plants, cost 254 million to build and 100 million for systemization (Sutherland, 1997). As of 1997, additional costs of over 500 million for operation were expected. It is not known how the costs of an incineration system to be used for non-stockpile chemical weapon destruction would compare with the JACADS costs. 

Catalytic incineration (complete air oxidation) for the purification of gas streams is now quite commonly used in many applications (1-7), being preferred in these over thermal (non-catalytic) incineration and adsorption methods. It can offer advantages over thermal incineration in terms of costs, size, efficiency of destruction, and minimization of thermal NOx by-product formation. The catalytic incineration systems are now commonly employed in such applications as exhaust emission purification from a variety of industrial processes (including manufacture of organic chemicals and polymers) and air-stripping catalytic processes used to clean contaminated water or soil. 

Selection and design deficiencies are probably the most common as well as the most serious causes of problem incineration systems. Reputable incinerator contractors usually make every effort to satisfy specified design and construction criteria and meet their contractual obligations. Operating and maintenance deficiencies can usually be corrected. However, once a system has been installed and started, very little can be done to compensate for fundamental design inadequacies. Major, costly modifications and revisions to performance objectives are usually required. 

At many facdities, the practice is to operate the incineration system continuously until it breaks down because of equipment failures. This type of operation accelerates both bad performance and equipment deterioration rates. Repairs done after such breakdowns are usually far more extensive and costly than those performed during routine, preventive maintenance procedures. Also, items which are typically capable of lasting many years can fail in a fraction of that time if interrelated components are permitted to fail completely. 

There is no typical incinerator application - Even institutions of similar type, size, and activities have wide differences in waste types and quantities, waste management practices, disposal costs, space availability, and regulatory requirements. Each application has unique incineration system requirements that must be identified and accommodated on an individual basis. 

Process Description. An incineration system eonsists of three main units feed preparation and handling, primary combustion unit, and off-gas treatment. Feed preparation usually includes screening to remove oversized particles that could clog or jam the combustion unit. Oversized waste may be shredded so that it can be incinerated, or treated or landfilled separately. Sludge is usually dewatered to make the material easier to feed to the incinerator and to limit the fuel cost associated with heating, volatilizing, and treating the water in the incinerator. 

Table 13-5 Equipment Costs for Thermal Incinerator Systems ...

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