Determination of the optimal area of waste incineration in a rotary kiln using a simulation model

• A computational model of a rotary kiln was used to determine the flux of incinerated waste in terms of its calorific values.
• The characteristic point of the system, called the breaking point, was determined, which specifies the largest flux of waste incinerated.
• Additional fuel flux used for waste incineration depended mainly on the calorific value of the waste.
• The heat flux transmitted to the environment by the outer surfaces of the test system had a decisive impact on the efficiency.

The article presents a mathematical model to determine the flux of incinerated waste in terms of its calorific values. The model is applicable in waste incineration systems equipped with rotary kilns. It is based on the known and proven energy flux balances and equations that describe the specific losses of energy flux while considering the specificity of waste incineration systems. The model is universal as it can be used both for the analysis and testing of systems burning different types of waste (municipal, medical, animal, etc.) and for allowing the use of any kind of additional fuel. Types of waste incinerated and additional fuel are identified by a determination of their elemental composition. The computational model has been verified in three existing industrial-scale plants. Each system incinerated a different type of waste. Each waste type was selected in terms of a different calorific value. This allowed the full verification of the model. Therefore the model can be used to optimize the operation of waste incineration system both at the design stage and during its lifetime.

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