Optimising energy recovery and use of chemicals, resources and materials in modern waste-to-energy plants

• WtE plants are to be optimized beyond current acceptance levels.
• Emission and consumption data before and after 5 technical improvements are discussed.
• Plant performance can be increased without introduction of new techniques or re-design.
• Diagnostic skills and a thorough understanding of processes and operation are essential.

Due to ongoing developments in the EU waste policy, Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants are to be optimized beyond current acceptance levels. In this paper, a non-exhaustive overview of advanced technical improvements is presented and illustrated with facts and figures from state-of-the-art combustion plants for municipal solid waste (MSW). Some of the data included originate from regular WtE plant operation – before and after optimisation – as well as from defined plant-scale research. Aspects of energy efficiency and (re-)use of chemicals, resources and materials are discussed and support, in light of best available techniques (BAT), the idea that WtE plant performance still can be improved significantly, without direct need for expensive techniques, tools or re-design. In first instance, diagnostic skills and a thorough understanding of processes and operations allow for reclaiming the silent optimisation potential.