Waste fuel analysis

Chemical Composition. Chemical compositional data iaclude proximate and ultimate analyses, measures of aromaticity and reactivity, elemental composition of ash, and trace metal compositions of fuel and ash. All of these characteristics impact the combustion processes associated with wastes as fuels. Table 4 presents an analysis of a variety of wood-waste fuels these energy sources have modest energy contents. 

The chemical analysis of waste fuels also demonstrates that the wood-based fuels contain virtually no sulfur and Htde nitrogen. Unless the hog fuel contains bark from logs previously stored ia salt-water, the chlorine content is very modest to nonmeasurable. 

Some general applications of TG-FTIR are evolved gas analysis, identification of polymeric materials, additive analysis, determination of residual solvents, degradation of polymers, sulphur components from oil shale and rubber, contaminants in catalysts, hydrocarbons in source rock, nitrogen species from waste oil, aldehydes in wood and lignins, nicotine in tobacco and related products, moisture in pharmaceuticals, characterisation of minerals and coal, determination of kinetic parameters and solid fuel analysis. 

Appel Consultants, Inc. (1993). Strategic Analysis of Biomass and Waste Fuels for Electric Power Generation, Final Report, EPRl TR-102773, Project 3295-02. Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA, December. 

McGowin C. R., and Wiltsee G. A. (1996) Stratc c analysis of biomass and waste fuels for electric power generation. Biomass and Bioenergy, 10, pp. 167-175. 

In order to identify the problem more precisely, testing was initiated to determine the characteristics of the deposits. Pilot plant tests were conducted on municipal solid waste fuel at inlet temperatures of 1010 K, 867 K, and 839 K and using aluminum-free fuel such as wood waste. Deposit analysis indicates that the aluminum and glass are the primary elements involved in the deposit growth. 

One of the most important requirements when using this method is to determine that the process equipment clearly falls within the scope of the standard. When equipment or process varies from the standard scope, additional analysis using other techniques for determining applicability of grandfathering are required. An example of a variation would be a waste fuel that is not included in the scope of a standard governing a burner management system. Any special requirements for handling the waste fuel... 

Potential fusion appHcations other than electricity production have received some study. For example, radiation and high temperature heat from a fusion reactor could be used to produce hydrogen by the electrolysis or radiolysis of water, which could be employed in the synthesis of portable chemical fuels for transportation or industrial use. The transmutation of radioactive actinide wastes from fission reactors may also be feasible. This idea would utilize the neutrons from a fusion reactor to convert hazardous isotopes into more benign and easier-to-handle species. The practicaUty of these concepts requires further analysis. 

A second source of plutonium, dispersed more locally, is liquid effluent from fuel reprocessing facilities. One such is the fuel reprocessing plant at Windscale, Cumbria in the United Kingdom where liquid waste is released to the Irish Sea(6). Chemical analysis of this effluent shows that about one percent or less of the plutonium is in an oxidized form before it contacts the marine water(7). Approximately 95 percent of the plutonium rapidly adsorbs to particulate matter after discharge and deposits on the seabed while 5 percent is removed from the area as a soluble component ). Because this source provided concentrations that were readily detected, pioneering field research into plutonium oxidation states in the marine environment was conducted at this location. 

Losses of valuable components through waste streams The chemical analysis of various plant exit streams, both to the air and water, should indicate if valuable materials are being lost. Adjustment of air-fuel ratios in furnaces to minimize hydrocarbon emissions and hence fuel consumption is one such example. Pollution regulations also influence permissible air and water emissions. 

Gas fuel generation from wastes is very attractive and environmentally friendly activity. Several computer analysis of the solid waste conversion into gas fuel was done in the PTEP Group [6]. 

A thorough analysis and evaluation of different fuel cycles with regard to economics, environmental impacts, nuclear waste management and proliferation risk is given by the MIT (2003). 

Before Southdown accepts any waste materials for recycling as fuel, a chemical analysis must be performed to identify their chemical composition. Wastes that cannot be blended to meet standards for content, heat value, and compatibility with cement production are not accepted. For instance, cement cannot be made with fuels that have a high chlorine content. 

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