Process compatibility, Incineration

Energetical utilization, i.e. direct incineration of plastics waste has the disadvantage of the higher environmental impact in comparison to the incineration of oil or gas from raw-material recycling processes. Every step to higher environmental compatibility of incineration decreases its energetical usability and is coupled with an appropriate increase of costs. 

An overall incineration system consists of a number of subsystems, such as waste feed, combustion chamber, off-gas treatment, and ash handling systems. Each of these subsystems consists of several components or process steps. In the overall system design, as represented by the process flow diagram, the suitability of each subsystem and its components needs to be carefully established from the viewpoint of mutual compatibility, equipment layout and system controls. Often, the interfacing requirements will dictate the final selection of components. Further direction on subsystem and component selection can be found in Sections 6 and 7. 

The objective of the incineration process is another important factor that influences reactor selection. It may be desired, for example, to destroy the hazardous components in the waste, reduce the hazardous components and then isolate them, or merely separate the hazardous components. The end product of waste treatment must be compatible with the type of ultimate disposal to be used for the waste sewage discharge, landfilling, deep-well injection, and so forth. For example, if the waste is to be disposed of by landfarming, the end product of the waste treatment should consist of biodegradable organic components. ... 

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