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An Evaluation of Seven Incinerators

W.C. ACHINGER and L.E. DANIELS


u.s. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Cincinnati, Ohio

ABSTRACT Because meaningful data are scarce on incinera­


tion, this program for testing municipal incinerators
In an evaluation of seven incinerators that pro­ was conceived and initiated by the Bureau's division
cess municipal solid waste, data have been gathered of technical operations.
on (1) the quality and quantity of solid waste pro­ The first phase of this testing program was de­
cessed, residue, and gasborne particulate emissions, signed to develop reliable sampling methodology and
(2) the quality of the fly ash collected and the waste­ accumulate basic data that identify the results of the
water produced, and (3) the economics involved in incineration process. The intention was to identify
incineration. These data are compared and the study the operating characteristics of the various inciner­
results summarized. The sampling procedures being ator designs, not to downgrade or promote any
used and the problems encountered during their particular design. This first phase is nearing com­
evolution are also described. pletion. The next phase will involve refining and
expanding the sampling methodology developed in
INTRODUCTION the first phase and continuing the studies of various
incinerator designs.
The 1965 Solid Waste Disposal Act (PL 89-272) The sampling procedures now used and the re­
created a federal solid-waste management program to sults of the first seven incinerator studies are given
join air- and water-pollution programs in a national here. The incinerator designs studied were the
effort to combat environmental pollution. Realization rotary kiln, conical burner (pilot-plant size),
of the rapidly increasing types and amounts of solid traveling grate, rocking grate, modified reciprocating
waste being generated in this country had prompted grate, and reciprocating grate.
this federal action and the creation of a program, the
Burea.u of Solid Waste Management, to lead and co­ SAMPLING PROCEDURES
ordinate planning and research activities in solid­
waste management on a nationwide level. The broad At the beginning of this testing program, sampling
objective of the Bureau is to act as a catalyst in the procedures for evaluating municipal incinerators
initiation and utilization of methods of solid-waste were neither widely published nor accepted. As a
disposal that are effective and economic. Technical result, the existing sampling procedures have been
and financial assistance is provided to state and considerably modified since the start of this program
local governments and interstate agencies for in an effort to develop better testing methods. Ad­
planning, developing, and conducting solid-waste ditional modifications are expected as further data
management. become available.

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The sampling procedures presently used, reported a daily basis in those plants that operate less than
in this paper, are designed to obtain information on 24 h/day. When the plant operation permits, suf­
(1) the efficiency ·of the incinerator as a reduction ficient wastes to charge the furnaces for about 8 h is
device, (2) the potential impact of the incinerator weighed and set aside. During a testing day, the time
operation on the environment as indicated by the required to charge the material is recorded and used
quality and quantity of the solid, liquid, and gaseous to determine a daily charging rate. Although neither
effluents discharged to the environment, and (3) the of these latter two procedures yield an hourly
cost of incinerating solid wastes. charging rate, they do provide data more reliable
Under development are procedures for identifying than the other procedure.
the bacteriologic quality of all influents and efflu­
ents and for determining the quantity of gaseous Composi tion and Characteristics
pollutants, primarily: hydrocarbons, hydrogen chlo­
ride, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen To determine the composition of the incoming
oxides emitted to the atmosphere. waste for the test period, eight grab samples weigh­
The incinerators are evaluated at their "operating" ing between 200 and 300 lb each are manually sorted
capacity (operated in the way the plant would be into nine categories. The combustible categories in­
operated if it were not being tested) because, at clude: (1) food waste, (2) garden waste, (3) paper
present, the charging rate on a short-term (hourly) products, (4) plastic, rubber, leather, (5) textiles,
basis cannot be determined. Evaluating a particular and (6) wood. The noncombustible categories include
incinerator at different conditions to determine the (7) metals, (8) glass and ceramics, and (9) and ash,
capacity at which it achieved the best overall rocks, dirt, etc. The amount in each category is
operation is no longer done because of the resources weighted. Portions of four of the eight grab samples
required. are collected for laboratory analyses. To obtain a 15-
to 20-lb laboratory sample, a proportionate amount of
material is taken from each of the nine separated
Incoming Solid Waste categories. The combustible and noncombustible
materials are placed in separate plastic bags and
Burning Rates sent to the laboratory. Before any other processing
is attempted, the moisture content of the samples is
Because design burning rates are sometimes in­ determined. The combustible portion of all four
accurate in relation to actual operation at a given samples is then analyzed for heat, volatile (material
time, it is necessary to determine true burning driven off at 600"C), and ash contents and for ele­
rates before waste-reduction efficiencies, particulate­ mental composition (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen,
grain loadings, and other factors can be determined. nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine).
Burning rates are determined indirectly by measuring
the charging rate and are most useful if determined Size and Number of Samples
on an hourly basis.
Initially, strain gages mounted on the crane During the first study made under this program,
cables were considered as a means of determining the effect of sample size on the precision of the
the hourly charging rate, but this procedure was not data was ascertained. Statistical analysis of the re­
attempted because of anticipated problems as­ sulting data indicated no difference in the precision
sociated with installation. Weighing grapples full of composition data based upon sample size; the
of waste on a platform scale to determine the weight results were as precise with "small" (i.e., 200- to
of an average grapple charge proved unsatisfactory 300-lb) samples as with "large" (1400- to 1700-lb)
because it was difficult to keep the cables slack samples if the grab samples were representative
and at the same time prevent material from falling out (based upon appearance).
of the grapple during the weighing process. The first study also determined that 12 grab
At present, a weekly charging rate is determined samples are required to obtain the percentage of any
by emptying the pit before the study, weighing all component with a precision of plus or minus two
materials dumped during the study week, emptying percentage points. Because of the manpower and
the pit at the conclusion of the study, and recording time required to sort these samples manually, only
the time it takes to charge the material received eight samples are collected during the course of a
during the study week. This procedure is followed on study. This loss of precision is not deemed critical.

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A more comprehensive treatment of this statistical 23 percent. Visual examination of samples indicated
analysis was presented by Carruth and Klee [1]. higher moisture contents because the samples were
quite wet. These samples were placed inside 6-gal
Distribution of Sampling plastic cans with the plastic lid sealed with tape,
and analysis of the samples occurred some time
The sampling study period of 1 week, which was after the samples were taken. When this apparent
shortened to 3 days for Study E, introduced a problem loss of moisture during transport and storage became
when trying to characterize the composition of the evident, extra precautions were taken on subsequent
solid waste. During Study E, the eight samples for studies to seal the samples securely. Samples are
composition analysis were taken unevenly over the now placed inside two independently knotted plastic
study period: three samples were taken on the first bags. Moisture contents of the combustible portions
day, four on the second, and one sample on the of samples sealed in this manner have ranged from
last. Comparison of the data obtained from the 22 to 43 percent.
samples (Table 1) indicates that the wastes de­ In all of these studies, the moisture content of
livered to the facility on different days had differ­ the noncombustible fraction of the solid-waste
ent compositions and that sampling to determine samples has been assumed to be zero, since moisture
composition must be distributed throughout the week determinations were not practical with the equipment
if the average composition is to be representative available. Grinding the noncombustible fraction to
of the material delivered to the facility during any homogenize the sample for moisture analysis was
one week. Analysis of the data from other plants considered impractical because of the abrasive
similarily indicates the necessity of distributing properties of these materials. Arrangements have
the sampling over the entire study week. been made to have the moisture content of the
entire combustible and noncombustible laboratory
Moisture Content samples determined in larger capacity ovens in
future studies.
In the first two studies, the moisture content of
the combustible fraction of the composition samples Residue and Fly Ash
was erratic and unexpectedly low, ranging from 9 to
All the residue accumulated during the study
period is weighed, and the information is used to
Table 1
determine reduction efficiencies, as is discussed
Da i l y S o l i d-Wa s te Composition for P lant E
later in the section on study results.
(Percent by We i gh t)
To determine the q uality of the residue, five
Mon- Tu es- Wednes- grab samples each weighing approximately 50 lb are
Component day* dayt day1' Average§ collected during the study period. A statistical
analysis was not made of the number and size of the
Combustibles:
residue samples required because, at a given
Food waste 7.2 1 4.6 18. 1 1 2.2
Garden waste 1 .8 1.9 0. 3 1.6
facility, the composition of the residue does not vary
Paper products 57.8 60.3 54. 1 58. 7 as much as that of the solid waste. Four of the five
Plastic, rubber, samples are manually sorted into four categories:
leather 2.7 2.8 4.9 3.0 (1) metals (2) rocks, glass, and ceramics, (3) un­
Textiles 1.6 1.7 2.9 1.8
burned combustibles, and (4) fines (unidentifiable
Wood 0.3 0. 5 0.3 0. 4
Total 71.4 81.8 80.6 77.7
material passing through a 0.5-in. sieve).
The fifth sample is returned to the laboratory
N oncombustibles: for determination of moisture content. The fines and
Metal 8.8 8.0 10.0 8.6 the unburned combustibles of the other four samples
Gl ass, ceramics 14.9 7.4 8.2 1 0.3
are placed into two independently sealed plastic
Ash, rock,
and dirt 4.9 2.8
bags and returned for laboratory analyses similar to
1.2 3.4
Total 28.6 18.2 19.4 22.3 that of the incoming solid waste.
Where possible, a 2- to 10-lb sample of fly ash is
* Average o f three samples.
t Average of four samples.
collected from the air-pollution-control device. This
+ One sample. is returned to the laboratory to determine the mois­
§ Average of all ei ght samples. ture, heat, ash, and volatile contents.

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A material balance of the metals from the solid Stack Effluents
waste and from the residue may not be calculated
because a considerable portion of the fines in the Particu late Emissions
residue contain metal that is not removed during the
current separation procedure. In one study, for ex­ The sampling train (Fig. 1) and methods developed
ample, the plant received 2300 tons of solid waste by the National Air Pollution Control Administration
that contained 8.5 percent (195.5 tons) metal. The (NAPCA) are used for measuring particulates emitted
660 tons of residue weighed contained 16.8 percent from the stack [3]. The major elements of this
(110.9 tons) metal. From these data, it would seem sampling train are the (1) stainless-steel button-hook
that 84.6 tons of metal disappeared during incinera­ probe tip, (2) glass-lined or all metal probe, (3)
tion. In preparing the laboratory sample of the fines cyclone and collection flask, (4) 2.5-in. glass-fiber
for analysis, however, 13.7 percent of the fines were filter, (5) electrically heated enclosed box, (6) series
removed with a magnet. This magnetic material ac­ of four modified Greenburg-Smith impingers (the first
counts for another 71.8 tons of ferrous metal in the impinger has the tip replaced with a 0.5-in Ld. glass
residue to reduce the apparent loss of metal to 12.8 tube and is filled with 100 ml distilled water;·the
tons, which is within the accuracy of our sampling second impinger (unmodified) is filled with 100 ml
procedures. The residue separation procedures are distilled water; the third impin ger is modified like
being modified to include removal of ferrous metals the first and is left dry; and the fourth impinger is
from the fine category. also modified like the first and contains about 175
g of dry silica gel, (7) box containing an ice bath,
(8) dial thermometer, (9) check valve, (10) flexible
liquid Effluents vacuum tubing, (11) vacuum gauge, (12) needle
valve, (13) leakless vacuum pump, (14) bypass
Each wastewater source is sampled to determine valve, (15) 1 felr dry gas meter, (16) calibrated
pertinent physical and chemical characteristics. The orifice, (17) inclined-vertical manometer, and (18)
major sources sampled are the incoming water, Type S pitot tube.
scrubber water, residue quench water, and plant ef­
fluent. Two 500-ml grab samples are collected from Ga s Composition
each source during each stack test and combined.
The temperature and pH of all samples are measured The effluent gases are sampled and analyzed for
immediately after collection. After the samples are moisture, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and
returned to the laboratory, they are analyzed for oxygen. To determine the moisture content, water
alkalinity, chlorides, hardness, sulfates, phosphates, vapor is condensed in the impingers of the particu­
conductivity, and solids [2]. late sampling train, and then the gases are passed

15 13

F i g. 1 P a rti cu l a te Sampli n g T r a i n

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through silica gel to dry. The condensate in the im­ have condensed in the all-metal probe and cyclone
pingers and the weight gain in the silica gel through which the gases pass before entering the
(assumed to be moisture adsorption) are measured to particulate filter (Fig. 1). The gases cool sufficient­
indicate the moisture content of the stack gases. To ly in the length of the probe to condense even though
determine the carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and they enter the probe at approximately 500 to 600"F.
oxygen concentration, integrated gas samples are It is suspected that acidic gases, particularly hy­
collected in a flexible bag sampler during each stack drogen chloride, are absorbed in this condensed
test and then analyzed with the use of an Orsat' water and create a very corrosive solution. In sub­
analyzer. To check the carbon dioxide data, a series sequent studies, the pH of the water removed from
of instantaneous grab samples are also taken during the impin gers was measured and found to vary be­
each stack test and analyzed with the use of a tween 2.5 and 3.5.
manual wet-chemistry carbon-dioxide indicator. Two alternatives were considered for correcting
the corrosion problem in metal probes. The probes
Probe Corrosion could be heated, or more corrosion-resistant
materials could be used. Because of the problems
Some municipal incinerators have large-diameter involved in shielding the heating wire or tape, it
stacks, sometimes with double walls, that require the was decided to try more resistant probe materials.
use of long probes when sampling the effluent gases. Two alloys, Incoloy 825 (approximately 40 percent
Because of handling difficulties and breakage, it is nickel, 30 percent iron, and 20 percent chromium)
impractical to use glass-lined probes over 7 ft in and Monel 400 (approximately 65 percent nickel, 30
length. In these situations, unlined, unheated metal percent copper, and 1 percent iron), were investigated
probes have been used. because of their reported resistance to corrosion by
Type 304 stainless steel was initially selected acidic gases. The two different materials were used
as the probe material when the use of all-metal simultaneously in one study. The Incoloy 825 probes
probes was necessary. These probes were used in seemed to be more resistant to corrosion; the wash­
two studies spaced about 5 months apart. Some ings were generally clear, and inspection of the
visible evidence of corrosion was noted during the inside walls showed no indication of corrosion. The
first study. Beca use of the natural reddish-brown washings from the Monel probes were yellow and
color of the particulate collected on the filter, contained greenish material that indicated the
corrosion could not be established definitely without presence of copper compounds. The inside walls
a thorough laboratory analysis, which did not seem showed visible signs of corrosion. Although the
justified at the time. Reddish-brown material was Incoloy 825 seems promising in its ability to resist
also noted in the probe washings collected during the corrosion by incinerator stack gases, it is too early
second study. Since the natural color of the material to make a positive conclusion. The use of heated
collected on the filters was black, oxidation of the glass-lined probes is recommended whenever
probe metal probably occurred. Visual inspection of possible.
the inside walls of the probes revealed this pos­
sibility. The reddish-brown residue remaining after Fi Iter Plugging
evaporation of the acetone wash in this study was
qualitatively analyzed for iron and indicated a high Filter plugging due to particulate buildup or to
iron concentration, but the particulate material col­ moisture condensing on the filter has also been a
lected on the filter showed only a faint trace of iron. problem in testing. Rather than attempting to
This indicates the iron came from the probe rather develop a larger filter assembly that would require
than the incinerator. Even though the iron from the extensive modification of the sample collection box,
probe adds some to the total particulate collected, the sampling train is merely shut down for a few
visual inspection did not indicate it to be a minutes while the filter assembly is changed. In
significant amount. some cases, as many as four filter changes were
The corrosion is caused by condensation occur­ necessary to complete a test. This method of
ing in the probe. Because the metal probes were not operation is rapid and has proven satisfactory during
heated, considerable amounts of liquid (up to 135 ml) the studies.

1 Mention of a commercial product doe s not necessarily imply en­


dors ement by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and
Welfare.

36
STACK

F i g. A-I Schem a t i c fo r In ci n erato r A


INDUCED­
DRAF T FAN

CHARGING CONVEYOR MOVING STATIONARY RESIDUE FLY ASH


GRATE GRATE DISCHARGE DISCHARGE

ATMOSPHERE

I ATMOSPHERE

SOURCE FLOW SAMPLING POINT

OCIlID WASTE. RESIDUE,


AND FLY ASH
===* •

F ig. A-2 F l o w D i a g ram for In ci n erator A PROCESS WATER ------? 0


GASES AND PARTICULATES ---,. •

CHARGING
HOPPER

F i g. A-3 Schem a t i c for In c i n erator B

PRIMARY CO M';B:U:S�TI�O�N�����Z2��ZZ��Z2��
COMBUSTION GAS FLOW -----
CHAMBER
FLUE

�t:::':3:::::::::-:: _
MI DO LE GRATE
SECONDARY
COMBUSTION
CHAMBER

UNDERFIRE TO SCRUBBER
AIR FAN RESIDU E --IIl--=-...:..::-\.--r,').--=:..=...--a AND STACK
QUENCH TANK

37
ATMOSPHERE

I A TMOSPHERE � QUENCHING SYSTEM LANDFILL

roURCE FLOW SAMPLING POINT

roUD WASTE, RESIDUE,


AND FLY ASH � •

PROCESS WATER ------? 0


GASES AND PARTICULATES ---0) •

F i g . A-4 Flo w Diagram fo r Inci n e rato r B

PRECIPITATOR
FAN AND STACK

ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATOR

WATER SCRUBBER,
FAN, AND STACK

HOPPER AND
CONVEYOR

CONICAL BURNER

F i g. A - S P ion V i ew fo r I n c i n erator C

SECTION A·A

PRIMARY ,1-__,:,27
AIR FAN

F i g . A-6 Underfi re-Ai r System fo r Inci n e rator C

38
Cost Data verify and apply the cost data to the cost accounting
procedure correctly, discussions were held with the
The objective of collecting cost data is to personnel who maintain cost records. This cost ac­
determine the true costs at each plant studied, which counting procedure has been described by Zausner
includes costs for residue disposal, facility amortiz� [4], and the computerized cost-analysis technique
ation, bond interest, site improvement, etc. In ad­ used in the studies has been described by Zausner
dition to obtaining overall operating and capital and Helms [5].
costs, the operating costs are divided into solid­ The cost analysis is presently being expanded to
waste receiving, volume-reduction, and effluent­ include a capital cost breakdown according to cost
treatment "cost centers." centers. Unfortunately, capital cost information,
The cost data are obtained by checking all cost when available, is not easily allocated to the cost
records kept by the plant and any administrative centers because the data are not available in a form
group keeping pertinent records. In addition, to that lends itself to the cost-center concept.

AFTERBURNER
o SAMPLING PORTS

CONICAL
BURNER

SCREW
CONVEYOR

BURNING WASTE
� .... ----- ..

CHARGING SETTLING
HO PPER BASIN

F i g. A-7 Water Scru bber and Afterbu rner Ductwork fo r


I nc i nerator C

o SAMPLING PORTS

ELECTROSTATIC
PRECIPIT ATOR

GUILLOTINE DAMPER FAN

F i g. A-8 Electrostati c- P reci p i tator Ductwork for


I n c i n e rator C

39
In addition to breaking down capital costs ac­ STUDY RESULTS
cording to cost centers, future studies under this
program will include cost analysis according to sub­ Faci lity Descriptions
systems within each cost center. For the "Receiving
and Handling" cost center, costs are assigned to the Incinerator A was built in 1966 with a design
scales, pit and tipping area, and the crane and capacity of 300 tons/day. Each furnace contains a
charging floor; for the "Volume Reduction" cost modified reciprocating grate and a stationary grate.
center, to the furnace enclosure, grates, combustion­ A wetted-column water scrubber is used for air­
air systems, and instrumentation; and for the pollution control. Incinerator B was built in 1966
"Effluent Handling and Treatment" cost center, to with a design capacity of 300 tons/day. Each furnace
residue, wastewater, and gas-treatment systems.

I
'"
ATMOSPHERE A TMOSPHERE

I AFTERBURNER I I

I
AI
I

roUACE FLOW SAMPLING POINT

SOUD WASTE AND RESIDUE


==>= •


PROCESS WATER -----7-
GASES AND P ARTICULATES --->-- ..

F i g. A-9 F l o w D i a g ram fo r I ncinerator C

STACK
CRANE

GUILLOTINE
DAMPER

PRIMARY COMBUSTION CHAMBER

TRAVELING GRATES
SECONDARY
COMBUSTION
CHAMBER

STORAGE
PIT UNDERFIRE AIR
FLOODED BAFFLE
PLENUM CHAMBERS
QUENCH WALLS
TANKS

F i g. A - 1 0 Schemat i c fo r Inci n erato r D

40
contains three sections of rocking grates. The air­ wall and water-spray system. Incinerator G was
pollution-control system is a flooded, baffle-wall built in 1967 with a design capacity of 400 tons/day.
water scrubber. Incinerator C, built in 1967, is a Each furnace contains four sections of reciprocating
pilot-plant conical burner with a design capacity of grates. A multitube dry cyclone following a wet­
1000 lb/h. A centrifugal water scrubber, an after­ baffle wall is used for air-pollution control.
burner, an electrostatic precipitator, or some com­ A more detailed summary of the physical charac­
bination thereof is used for air-pollution control. teristics of each incinerator studied is presented in
Incinerator D was built in 1965 with a design capac­ the Appendix.
ity of 500 tons/day. Each furnace contains two
sections of traveling grates, and a flooded, baffle­ Heat Release and Burning Rates
wall water scrubber is used for air-pollution control.
Incinerators E and F are rotary kilns built in 1963 The design burning rate per unit area of grate and
with design capacities of 500 and 600 tons/day, the heat release rate per unit volume (Table 2) for
respectively. Each furnace contains three sections each incinerator were calculated by using the design
of reciprocating grates followed by a rotary kiln. capacity of the plant and waste averaging 5000 Btu/
Air-pollution control is achieved through a baffle- lb. The actual burning and heat-release rates were

SOURCE FLOW SAMPLING POINT


SOLID WASTE, RESIDUE,
AND FLY ASH �
PAOCESS WATER --3> 0
GASES AND PARTICULATES ---� •

F i g. A-ll F l o w D i a gram fo r I n cine rato r D

STACK

DAYING GRATES

IGNITION GRATE

GUILLOTINE
DAMPERS

STORAGE
PIT

QUENCH

F i g . A.12 Schematic fo r In cinerators E and F

41
I ATMOSPHERE I
l'
...I

I
I
""
I
I
I
I

QUENCHING SYSTEM F-=99 LANDFILL


I
ATfJOSPHERE f->--
........,...-----'

FLOW SAMPLING POINT


� •

---7-- •

- �- ...

F i g. A· 1 3 Flow D i agram for I n c i n erato r E

ATMOSHERE I
I
I

I

I
I
""

QUENCHING SYSTEM

I ATMOSPHERE � -- � - -
c...".-'--=-.!

SOJRCE FLOW SAMPLING POINT


����:s:!; RESIDUE. =*- •

PROCESS WATER ---7 •

GASES AND PARTICULATES - - -)- &

F i g. A· 1 4 F l o w D i a g ram fo r I n c i nerator F

42
calculated from the charging rate of the plant and the Solid Waste
heat content of the solid waste as measured during
the study. For the conical burner, the area of the Composition
base of the burner was used to calculate the grate
burning rate. For the rotary kilns, the grate burning The solid waste (Table 3) received by the incin­
rate was calculated with the use of the surface area erators during the studies was composed generally of
of a 2-ft bed depth in the kiln. 79 percent combustibles and 21 percent non­
combustibles.

STACK

CRANE

SUBSIDENCE
CHAMBER

STORAGE
PIT

QUENCH TANKS

F i g. A·1S Schem ati c for I n c i n erotor G

ATMOSPHERE r- -

OOURCE FLOW SAMP LING POINT


SOUD WASTE ANO AES40UE � •

PROCESS WATEA � •

GASES AND PARTICULATES --->-- A

F i g. A-16 Fl o w D i a gram for I n ci n erator G

43
Proximate Analyses Residue

The low combustible content of the waste re­ Composition


ceived by Incinerators C and G is reflected in a
lower volatile and heat content of the waste (Table 4). The residue composition (Table S) is expressed
on a percent by weight "as-sampled" basis. The
fines are defined as the unidentifiable materials
passing through a O.S-in. wire-mesh screen. The
unburned combustibles are those visually identifiable

Table 2

Hea t- Relea se a n d B urn i n g Ra tes

Rate of Heat Release


Burning Rate Per Per Unit Volume
3
Capacity Unit Area of Grate (Btu/ft /h)
Incinerator 2
(ton s/ day) (lb/ft /h) Primar)!: Ch amber Total Furnace
Design Actual* Design Actual Design Actual Design Actual

A 300 28 1 45 42 23,000 19,000 1 4,300 1 1 ,800


B 300 308 52 53 28,600 25,300 1 3,800 1 2,300
C lOOOt 1 444t 3 5 2,400 2,600
D 500 0) (;) (;) (;) (;) (; ) (n
E 500 660 45 59 23, 300 3 1 , 000 1 3 , 900 1 8 , 600
F 600 645 47 50 2 1 , 900 26, 000 1 4,400 17,000
G 400 482 51 62 23,600 22, 000 1 4, 400 1 3 , 400

* See discu s s ion of burning rates under the section on the sampling of incoming solid
waste.
t 1b/h.
; Information not available.

Table 3

Sal i d-Wa ste Com pos i tion


(Percent by Wei gh t ) Table 4

So l i d-Wa ste An a l y ses


Incinerator
Component
A B C D E F G Den sity,
Moisture, Heat, Ash, Volatiles,
As As Dry, Dry As
Combu s tibles : Sampled Sampled Basis Basis Sampled
Incin-
Food waste 7.4 6. 1 20.3 8.5 12 . 2 1 8. 3 1 1 . 0 ('7.) (lb/yd 3)
erator ('7.) (Btu/lb) ('70)
Garden waste 3.4 8.4 1 1 . 1 0. 5 1.6 0.6 9.8
Paper products 62. 5 58.0 30. 2 6 0 . 4 5 8 . 7 6 0 . 6 44.9 20.0* 44 1 0 34.2 6 5.8 (t )
A
Plastic, rubber
leather 2.8 3.3 3. 1 5.4 3.0 2.1 3.5 B 20.0* 4320 31.8 68.2 (t )
Textiles 2.4 3.1 5. 2 2.4 1 . .8 1 .8 3.2
C 26 . 5 3770 47. 1 52.9 (t)
Wood 2.4 1.4 1.7 5.4 0.4 2.3 3.1
80.9 80. 3 71. 6 82.6 77.7 85.7 7 5. 5 D 20.7 4520 35.6 64.4 (t )
Total
E 20.2 5030 29.9 70. 1 200
Noncombustib1es:
9.0 8. 2 6.8 9.0 8.6 8.5 8.1 F 21.0 5530 22.7 77. 3 140
Metal
Gl a s s, ceramics 4 . 2 8 . 1 10.5 3. 5 1 0. 3 5.4 9.5 28.2 3870 42.3 57 . 7 230
G
Ash, rock, dirt 5.9 3.4 1 1. 1 4.9 3.4 0.4 6.9
Total 19. 1 1 9 . 7 28.4 1 7 . 4 22. 3 1 4 . 3 24. 5 * A s sumed.
tN 0 measurement made.

44
combustible materials that pass through the inciner­ Incinerators C and D, a conical burner and a
ator without being burned. The unburned com­ traveling grate, produced the lowest percentage of
bustibles describe the visual appearance of the fines, 38.9 and 36.4 percent, respectively. The
residue rather than the combustible content of the residue from Incinerator C fused into a slag that
residue. The volatiles and heat content are more minimized the quantity of fines.
reliable indicators of combustible content. As stated The residue from Plant D contained 35.8 percent
previously, the fines also contain ferrous and non­ unburned combustibles. The facility was overloaded
ferrous metals that are not determined during the during the study week because the refractories in one
separation procedure. furnace had collapsed. Although the actual burning
Incinerators E and F, rotary kilns, probably pro­ rate could not be determined because the solid waste
duced a higher percentage of fines than the other was stockpiled during the time and no reliable
incinerators (74.5 and 79.4 percent, respectively) estimate could be made of the quantities burned,
because the tumbling action of the kiln reduced the waste was being processed as fast as possible. The
size of glass and rocks. The larger percent produced obviously overloaded furnace and the lack of
by Incinerator F, although not great, could be be­ agitation on the traveling grate contributed to the
cause its kiln is longer than that of Incinerator E, high percentage of unburned combustibles.
30 ft compared with 23.
Proximate Analyses

Table 5 The proximate analyses (Table 6) of the residue


Res i due Compo s i ti o n indicate the composition of the residue. The residue
(Percent by Wei ght) from the conical burner, Plant C, was air cooled but
not water quenched; thus, the moisture content is
Incinera tor
Component quite low. The samples from Plants B, E, F, and G
A* B C* D D F G
were taken from the drag conveyor. No explanation
Fines 44.9 5 2. 5 38.9 36. 4 74. 5 79.4 52.6 can be given for the low value at Plant G.
The moisture content, which is an important
Unburned
combu stibles (t) (f) 1.3 35.8 0. 1 0.7 1.1 consideration when determining incinerator ef­
ficiencies, can change drastically depending upon
Metal 23.9 14.6 13. 0 14.5 21.4 16.8 20 . 0
where the sample is taken. For composition analysis,
Glass, rock 31.2 32.9 46.8 1 3.3 4.0 3. 1 26 . 3 the best sampling location is the residue conveyor.
* Dry samples. This, however, is the poorest sampling location for
t Unburned combu s tibles included with fines. the moisture determination needed to calculate in­
cinerator efficiencies, since the moisture content of
the residue is the highest when leaving the conveyor
Table 6
and the lowest when the residue truck is weighed.
Res i due Ana l y ses
For accurate calculation of incinerator efficiency,
Moisture, Heat, Ash, Volatiles, Density, the moisture content of the residue when it is weigh­
As Dry Dry, Dry As ed must be known. Since th.� residue samples in
Incin- Sampled Basis Ba sis Basis Sampled Studies B, E, F, and G were taken from the residue
era tor ('70) (Btu /lb) ('70) ('70) (lb/y i) conveyor, the moisture content of the samples is
higher than it would be if the samples had been
A 15.0* 170 97.4 2.6 (t)
taken from the residue truck when it was weighed.
B 24. 5 200 98.4 2.0 ( t)
In the efficiency calculations, however, the
C 0.3 180 98.0 2.0 (t) moisture contents of the samples as collected
D�
were used. This assumption increases the calcu­
lated efficiencies. If the moisture content of the
E 21.8 520 97 . 0 3.0 1 490
residue at the time the residue truck was weighed
F 24.8 940 92.7 7.3 16 20
were 10 percent lower (14.5 instead of 24.5), the
G 10.5 70 99.4 0.6 1 6 00 weight reduction efficiency would be reduced by
* As sumed.
about 4 percentage points, the volatile reduction by
t No measurement made. about 0.2 percentage points, and the reduction in
� No laboratory ana1y sis performed. heat content by about 0.4 percentage points.

45
Fly Ash scrubber and quench waters from Incinerator A were
not mixed and flowed to separate lagoons. The
Fly-ash samples could be obtained from only four scrubber and quench waters from Incinerator 8 were
of the plants studied. The variation in the proximate not combined, but both were recycled individually
analysis (Table 7) was probably because of dif­ and, after a week, discharged to the city sewers.
ferent air-pollution-control devices. The electro­ The process waters from Incinerators D, E. F, and G
static precipitator (Plant C) collected fly ash with were combined in the quench tank, treated in a
the highest volatile content, multitube cyclone settling basin, grit chamber, or lagoon, and were
(Plant G) with the lowest, and the water scrubbers discharged. In these incinerators, the source labeled
midway between that collected by the other units. quench water (Table 8) is actually a mixture of the
The difference between the water scrubbers and the scrubber and quench water.
cyclone may be explained by the better burnout The temperature and pH were determined at the
achieved by Plant G (cyclones) where both the plant site, and the remaining analyses were made
residue and fly ash had low volatile and heat con­ after the samples were returned to the laboratory.
tents. Since the electrostatic precipitator is con­ From the analysis of the process waters (Table 8),
sidered a "high-efficiency" control device (collects some general conclusions can be made about the
smaller particles than less efficient devices) and the characteristics of the water from a given source.
water scrubbers and multitube cyclone are con­
sidered "low-efficiency" devices, the combustible Scrubber Water
portion (indicated by the percent volatiles) of the fly
ash would probably be smaller in particle size than Scrubber water was generally acidic. The total
the noncombustible portion of the fly ash. solids concentration varied from about 500 to 7000
mg/l with about 80 to 8S percent being dissolved
solids. The chloride, hardness, sulfate, and phos­
Wastewater
phate concentrations of the incoming water were
The incoming water, scrubber water, quench significantly increased after passing through the
water, and plant effluent after treatment were scrubber.
sampled to determine their characteristics. The
Quench Water pH

Table 7 The quench waters from Incinerators A and 8


Fly.A sh An a l y s es were alkaline because the scrubber water was not
added to the quench water. Although the spray water
Moisture, Heat, Volatiles, Ash,
used to cool the flue gases and the water used to
Incinerator, Type As Dry Dry Dry
carry the fly ash to the quench tank in Incinerator G
of Ai r-Pollution- Sampled Basis Basis Basis
Control Equipment ("70) (Btu/lb) ("70) ('70) were added to the quench tank, the volumes were not
large enough to reduce the pH of the quench water,
A, wetted-column and it remained alkaline. The scrubber water in
water Incinerators E and F was acidic, but combining it
scrubber 64.9 1 80 14.0 86.0
with the quench water helped raise the pH of the
B, flooded baffle­ combined waters.
wall water
scrubber (*) 1 290 13.9 86. 1 Quench Water Solids

C-l , centrifugal
The quench water from each incinerator had a
water
scrubber (*) (*) 16 . 4 83.6 high concentration of total solids. The quench water
from Incinerators A, E, and F, however, contained
C-3, electrostatic approximately 60 percent suspended solids, whereas
precipitator 52. 4 3400 27.5 7 2. 5 the quench water f rom Incinerators 8, D, and G con­
tained approximately 2S percen t suspended solids.
G, multitube
cyclones 0.3 440 4. 2 95.8 There is no explanation for this anomaly.
At Incinerator E, a grit chamber achieved a 90
* N o me asurement made. percent reduction in suspended solids concentration;

46
T able 8

Wa s tewater An a l y s e s

Suspended Dissolved Total Alkalinity Hardness


Incinerator, Tempera- Solids Solids Solids (mg/l Chlorides (mg/l Sulfates Phosphates Conducti vity
Sample Source pH ture ('F) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) CaC03 ) (mg/l) CaC03) (mg/l) (mg/l) (!1mho s/ cm)

A, quench water 8.4-1 1 . 2 ( t) 1860 1 280 3 1 40 1 20 420 460 230 0.5 3000

A, scrubber
water 3. 8-4.2 (t ) 1350 5820 7 17 0 1.0 2300 343 0 720 51 7 1 00

B, quench water 1 1 . 2- 1 1 .5 110 1 3 00 266 0 396 0 720 680 980 1 20 13

B, scrubber
water 4 . 8-6.5* 165 320 8840 9 16 0 23 3540 2630 1 250 38

C - 1 , scrubber
water 2.6 ( t) 1 10 54 0 650 0 27 0 1 10 1 10 4.4 1 800

C-1, settiing-
2.6 t 1 20 500 0 280 1 10 80 4. 1 970
tank water c ) 620

C-2, scrubber
water 2.6-3 . 4 t 90 450 0 200 150 1 00 4.1 1 000
c ) 540

C-2, settling-


tank water 2. 4-3.6 ( t) 180 480 660 0 230 1 20 70 6.0 850

C-3, precipitator
drain water 3 . 6 -4 . 0 ct) 1 7 20 7360 9080 0 3200 1 890 460 54 6000

C-3, se ttiing-
tank water 3 . 4-4 . 2 (t) 600 1 300 1 900 0 470 400 1 00 24 1 6 00

D, quench water 5 . 9 -7 . 1 (t ) 460 2040 2500 600 36 0 550 280 21 2020

D, scrubber
water 1 . 8-7 . 6 ( t) 280 1740 2020 80 700 900 220 19 3640

E , tap water 8.4 ( t) 0 56 56 1 00 7 33 1.0 0. 1 46

E, quench water 3. 9-7 . 0 1 20 900 590 1 490 240 200 290 25 21 810

E, s crubber
water 2.5-3.0 1 50 90 7 50 840 0 300 260 28 13 1 360

E, final
effluent water 4. 5-6.9 1 10 85 570 655 1 10 200 270 33 4.9 750

F , tap water 5.9 (t) 0 75 75 74 4.0 46 5.0 0.2 46

F, quench water 5 . 4-7 . 1 68 760 360 1 1 20 140 98 1 80 45 14 530

F, scrubber
water 3 . 0-5.0 82 90 520 610 29 180 1 90 24 8.8 630
Table 8 ( Con t' d)

Suspended Dissolved Total Alkalinity H ardness


Incinerator, Tempera- Solids Solids Solids (mg/l Chlorides (mg/l Sulfates Phosphates Conducti vity
Sample Source pH ture (F) (m g/l) (m g/l) (mg/l) CaC�) (mg/l) (CaCOa) (mg/ l ) (mg/l) (flIDhos/ cm)

F, lagoon
effluent water 5 . 8-7 . 9 65 580 320 900 140 94 1 80 9.3 430

G , w e l l water 7 . 0-8 . 4 75 0 950 950 350 420 30 20 0.9 1550

G , spray water 6 . 6 - 1 0. 3 1 04 740 23 50 3090 260 1 050 4 00 2 10 43 3 7 80

G, fly-ash
wash water 1 0. 9- 1 2. 5 57 3 1 80 890 4070 720 240 340 89 160 1690

G, quench water 9.4-10.9 88 450 1 200 1650 470 450 95 53 16 1 940

G, lagoon
effluent water 9.4-1 0.3 70 40 1210 1 250 3 10 450 1 00 70 3. 1 196 0

* Sample was obtained after soda-ash neutralization.


tNo measurement made .

.j:>.
00 Table 9

Part i culate- E m i s s ion Data

Particulate· Emission s

1b/ l OOO 1b Ib/ton of Stack Excess Gas-Flow


Incinerator grist ft' at 50% ex- Waste C Oz Temp. air Moisture Rate
at 1 2% C� cess Air Ib/h Charged '70 ("F) ('70) (%) (c ft:3 /min)

A 0.55 1 .06 1 22 1 0. 4 4.6 455 270 16.3 69, 800


B 1.12 186 14. 5 3.5 585 16. 1 1 3 1, 000

C-l 0.56 0. 7 5 3.2 4.1 2. 8 138 370 18.0 3 , 890

C-2 0.41 0.46 2.4 3.4 3.3 158 220 25.6 3,990
C-3 0.30 0.52 1 .7 2.9 3.3 325 410 15.5 4,460
D 0.46 0.85 173 8.8 5.0 485 260 18.1 1 20, 000
E 0.73 1 . 19 238 8.6 5.0 305 220 26 . 6 186, 000
F 0.72 1. 18 1 2. 5 3.9 36 5 3 20 16.0 1 6 5 , 000
G 1.35 2.70 386 20.4 3.2 500 500 14.3 1 30, 000
at F and G, lagoons achieved a 24 and 90 percent Compari son with Emi s sion Standard s
reduction, respectively. The poor achievement at F
(24 percent) was due to the fact that the lagoon was The particulate emission data, expressed in grist
filled with solids. These systems also reduced the fe at 12 percen t carbon dioxide, are compared with
alkalinity and phosphate concen trations; the chloride the emission standards for Los Angeles County Air
and hardness concentrations remained about the Pollution Control District, federal installations, and
same. the State of New Jersey (Fig. 2) [6]. The data are
Th ese data indicate the necessity of treating in­ also compared with ASME weight concentration
cinerator wastewater before its discharge to a standards (Fig. 3) [7]. The particulate-emission
watercourse. level of the revised ASME Model Smoke Ordinance
varies since the ordinance allows smaller installa­
Par ticu l ate Emissions tions to emit more materials than larger installations.
A comparison with New York State and with New
The particulate-emission data (Table 9) are the York City weight-rate emission standards is illus­
average of the data collected during each study and trated (Fig. 4). These standards also vary with the
reflect the design, operation, and air-pollution­ size of the incinerator. The incinerators studied meet
control equipment of the particular plant at the time a standard if the bar chart for the incinerator falls
of the study. All calculation s are based u pon below the line depicting the level of the standard.
standard conditions of 29.92 in. mercury and 700f'. As can be seen from these comparisons, these in­
Particulate emissions are expressed in the most cinerators with their existing air-pollution-control
commonly used units: grains per standard cubic equipment fail to meet all but the weakest standards.
foot (grist fe) at 12 percent c arbon dioxide, Ibl1000 Because the trend in air-pollution control is toward
lb at SO percent excess air, lblh, and lblton of waste more stringent standards, more efficient air-pollution­
charged. No correction factor was used to account for control equipment will have to be applied to in­
any absorption of carbon dioxide that might have cinerators if they are to meet air-pollution-control
occurred in the water scrubbers when the grain load­ regulations.
ings were adj usted to 12 percen t carbon dioxide.

_._. - LOS ANGELES AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT

1 .50 - - - - - - FEDERAL INSTALLATIONS


NEW JERSEY
• • • • • • • • • - - - - - -ASME MODEL SMOKE
3.0 ORDNANCE STANDARD
• • • • • • • • • • REVI SED ASME MODEL SMOKE -
1 .25 ORDINANCE STANDARD (VARieS
WITH CAPACITY OF INSTALLATION)
0
... 2.5
u
� 1 .00
;;
. 2.0

z
07 5 f--

0


UJ 1.5 f--
UJ
>-
.. �
...J
=>
0.501- �
U �
>= UJ
..
'" UJ 1.0
Q.
1- . f-- . j
=>
0. 25 f-- u
>=
..
'"

Q. 0.5

0.0 A B C·) C·2 C·3 0 (,

0.0 '-...Q<L __ ....a..


..J: -.J�_�_..u.iL-...t'Ll..-....r.::l...
. --" . 7'-_
INCINERATOR A B C· ) C·2 C·3 0 G ,

INCINERATOR
F i g. 2 P a rt i cu l a t e - E m i s s i o n D a t a Com p a red w i th G ra i n ­
L o a d i n g E m i s s i o n Stan d a r d s fo r L o s Ange l e s
C o u n ty A i r P o l l u t i o n Con t ro l D i s tri ct, F ed e r a l F i g. 3 P a rti cu l ate- E m i s s i o n Data Com p a red wi th A SM E
I n s ta l l a t i o n s , a n d S t a t e o f N e w J er s ey Wei ght-Co n centrat i a n E m i s s i on Sta n d a rd s

49
Part icul ate Catch after the Fi l ter
375

NEW YORK STATE (EXISTING UNITS)


The recommended NAPCA sampling train and NEW YORK STATE (NEW UNITS)
analytical procedures are used in our studies. NEW YORK CITY
325
NAPCA defines particulates as anything except un­
combined water that would be a solid or liquid at
standard conditions (70'1" and 29.92 in. mercury). 275

This definition focuses attention upon the material


collected in the sampling train after the filter,
which can be a significant portion of t he total :J;
particulate catch (Table 10). To pass through the

225
-- - - �
z

filter (MSA Type 1 106 HB high-efficiency filter), 0



this material must be submicron or in a gaseous :i
UJ 1 75
UJ
state t hat condenses to a liquid or solid once it >-
...
...J
enters the cold region (70 to 100'1") in the impingers. ::J
U
;::
To truly come within this definition of particulates, ...
'"
1 25
Cl.
this material must not be formed by a reaction with
other materials that would remain a gas if emitted to
the atmosphere. Air-pollution experts disagree 75

whether or not the material collected after the filter


should be reported as particulates. Analyses of the
material to identify it and its origin are needed to 25

:t I ��-=�-�-� I �
determine whether it should be reported as
particulates.
Particulates caught after the filter include (1) A B C-l C-2 C-3 D E
IG

residue left after evaporation of the acetone used to


INCINERATOR
rinse the sampling train after the filter and before the
impin ger that contains the silica gel, (2) residue left F i g. 4 P a rti cu l a t e - E m i s s i o n Data Comp ared wi th N ew
Y o rk State a n d N e w Y o r k C i ty Wei gh t - Rate Em i s ­
after evaporation of the chloroform and ether used to
s i on Stan d a r d s

Table 10

Summary o f P a rt i cu l a te-Catch Data

Particulate Catch after Jmpinger-Water Particulates Impin ger-Water Particulates


Filter as Percent of as Percent of Particu late a s Percent of Total
Incinera tor Total Particulates Catch after Filter Particulate Catch
High Low Average H igh Low Average H i gh Low Average

A 23 . 7 7.7 16. 1 93.7 35.8 68.3 16.4 5. 5 10.4

B 19.0 0.7 13.6 81.2 69.7 74. 1 14.9 4.8 10.6

C* 45.8 12.7 3 1 .0 69.9 26 . 2 45.5 20.6 6.7 13.6

C-1 t 34.5 20. 7 28. 1 83.3 73.3 8 1.0 25. 2 17.2 22.0

C _ 2t 54.4 44. 3 47 . 7 80.9 74.4 77.4 44.4 33.0 37.0

C-3 t 75.6 70.8 73.3 86 . 7 45.6 7 2. 0 64.0 34.7 5 2. 9

D 18.7 4.0 1 1:7 92.8 47.3 78.0 15.2 1 .9 9.5

E 35.4 27 . 6 31.1 93.8 90. 7 92. 2 34.1 25. 7 28. 9

F 28. 2 16.4 21 . 1 88.9 77.1 83. 1 25. 0 13.2 18.0

G 3 1 .6 18. 2 26 . 4 43.3 1 7 .4 31.5 10.6 5.4 8.0

A vera ge 30. 0 70.3 21. 1

* Sample taken at inlet to a ir pollution control e quipment.


t Sample taken at outlet from air pollution control equipment.

SO
extract organic materials from the impinger water type of air-pollution-control device. Undoubtedly
wash, and (3) residue after evaporation of the im­ other factors such as the operation, dust loading,
pinger water wash (Fig. 5). and particle size of the dust may also affect the
In these studies, this material averaged 30.0 per­ amount of material, although data are insufficient
cent of the total particulate caught. In one study to prove this contention.
(C-3), however, it amounted to 73.3 percent. The
four parts of the study at Incinerator C represent Acetone Wash and Chloroform- Ether Extract Res idues
data taken at the inlet to the air-pollution-control
systems (C), the outlet of the water scrubber (C,), The residues from the acetone wash and from the
the outlet of the water scrubber with the afterburner chloroform-ether extracts averaged 29.7 percent of
in operation (C), and the outlet of the electrostatic the material caught after the filter since the residue
precipitator (C ). The percent of material caught from the impinger water wash averaged 70.3 percent.
a
after the filter increased with collector efficiency,
which indicates the amount caught depends on the

[S] FIELD ANALYSIS

D LAOORATOAY o"NALYSIS

CHLOROFORM RESIDUE FROM


AND IMPINGER
ETHER WATER
EXTRACT

ACETONE WATER METAL


E X TRACT WASH ANALYSIS

F i g. 5 Anal y s i s of P a rt i cu l ate Catch after F i l t er

Table 1 1

E m i s s i on Spectrogra p h i c Ana lys i s


o f I m p i n ger-Wa ter R e s i d u e for Meta l s

Quantity Quantity
(ppm by weigh t) (ppm by weight)
Element Sample Sample Element Sample Sample
N o. 1 No. 2 No. 1 No. 2

Barium <0. 5 <0. 5 Tin <0. 5 <0. 5

Manganese <0 . 5 <0.5 Copper 2 2

Magnesium 12 13 Silver <0. 5 <0. 5

Moly bdenum <0. 5 <0.5 Zinc 60 1 10

Lead 2 1 Cobalt <0. 5 <0. 5


Chromium <0. 5 <0 . 5 Titanium 0.5 0.5

Nickel <0. 5 0.5 Cadmium <1 <1

Iron 6 6 Vanadium <0. 5 <0.5


Aluminum 35 12 Potassium 0.6

Calcium 375 400

51
Impinger Water Resid ue s volume, volatiles, and the amount of available heat
released (Table 13). The weight reduction is cal­
In an effort to identify residue from the impinger culated from the dry weights of solid waste, residue,
water, two samples from Study G were analyzed and fly ash. The volatile reduction is calculated
spectrographically. The results of this analysis from the volatile content of these materials, and
(Table 11) indicate that approximately 0.05 percent the heat released is based upon their heat content.
of the impinger water residue was metal. The volume reduction was calculated from the wet
In addition, all eight impinger residue samples densities and weights of solid waste and residue.
from Study F were combined into one sample for Although the amount of solids in the wastewater
wet-chemical analysis for inorganics and instru­ should be included in efficiency calculations, the
mental analysis for organics, and 15 impinger quantity of wastewater was not measured and cannot
residue samples from Study G were combined and be included. Estimates indicate this effect is small.
analyzed in a similar manner. Approximately 28 and For all practical purposes, no real distinction
43 percent, respectively, of these residues were can be made between any of the incinerators studied
acetone soluble (Table 12). Sulfates were present in when efficiencies are based on volatile or volume
approxiamtely 32 and 20 percent, respectively. The reduction or heat released. It should be pointed out,
acetone extract of both samples showed carbonyl however, that the incinerators studied were selected
and aromatic bands in the infrared (presumably de­ because they were noted for achieving "good burnout '!
rived from polynuclear compounds). No hydroxyl or Because the degree of weight reduction is inversely
aliphatic bands were noted. proportional to the amount of noncombustibles in the
These analyses of the material caught after the waste, it is not a good indicator of incinerator ef­
filter indicate that perhaps some of it should be re­ ficiencies. Better indicators are the volatile and
ported as particulates and some should not. The volume reduction and the amount of available heat
organics and metals would probably condense in the released.
atmosphere to form particulates. The chlorides,
sulfates, and phosphates may be formed by gases Economic s
reacting with cations to form particulates while in
close contact in the impinger water. If so, they Annual Co sts
probably would not react if emitted to the atmosphere
and would not fall within the category of particulates. The actual annual costs for the municipal-sized
Further work is needed on identifying composition of incinerators (A, B, 0, E, F, and G) varied from
impinger water residues and their origin since this $171,838 to $675,864 (Table 14) and correspond to
work was primarily screening. unit costs from $4.02 to $6.69 per ton of waste
processed. Incinerator C was a pilot plant, and
INCINER ATOR E F FICIENCY meaningful cost data were not available.

The efficiencies of the incinerators studied were


measured by calculating the reduction in weight, T a b l e 13

I n c i nerator E ff i c i en cy
T a b l e 12
Wei gh t Volatile Heat Volume
Ana l y s e s af I m p i n ger-Water Residue Incinerator Reduction Reduction Released Reduction
(%) (%) (%) ('70)
Analysis Incinerator F Incinerator G
A 61 98 98 (*)
Acetone extract 28.3% 42.9 '70
B 68 99 98 ( *)
Chloride 1 . 0'70 0 . 3'70
C 62 99 99 (* )
Sulfate 3 1 .8 % 20. 1 %
D*
Ph osphate 0 . 2% 0 . 2 '70
E 63 98 97 95
Hardn e s s 2 5 . 4'70 4.5%
F 72 97 96 97
Iron strong percent
G 53 99 99 94
pH of water solution 2.8 3.0
* Measurements not made.

52
Table 1 4

A n n u a l C o s t Data

Incinerator A Incinerator B Incinerator D


Normal Capacity Des ign Capacity Normal Capacity Design Capacity N ormal Capacity Design Capacity
I tem Actual Adjusted Projected Adjusted Actual A dj u s ted Projected Adjusted Actual Adjusted Projected Adjusted

Operating costs:
Direct labor $75, 184 $73, 703 $ 1 1 2, 7 76 $ 1 1 0 , 555 $ 1 97, 500 $ 1 8 5,730 $ 1 97, 500 $ 1 85,730 $ 193, 1 38 $ 1 86 , 3 0 1 $ 1 93 , 1 38 $ 1 86 , 3 0 1
Utilities 1 7 , 352 1 7 , 352 3 5, 1 3 5 34, 1 3 5 20, 000 20, 000 2 5, 8 5 0 25,850 1 8 , 000 1 8 , 000 1 9 , 30 1 19,301
Parts and supplies 1 2 , 509 1 2 , 509 24,608 24,608 32,950 32,950 4 2 , 580 42, 580 0 0 0 0
Vehicle operations 1 , 739 1 , 739 3,42 1 3,421 7, 200 7, 200 9,300 9 , 3 00 7,670 7,670 8,225 8,225
External repairs 7, 346 7, 346 14,451 14,451 6 , 2 50 6 , 250 8, 080 8, 080 22,339 2 2 , 339 23,954 23, 954
Disposal charges 700 700 1 , 3 77 1 , 37 7 2, 000 2, 000 2, 580 2, 580 32, 232 32, 232 34, 56 2 34, 56 2
Overhead 1 1 , 326 1 1 , 3 26 1 1 , 3 26 1 1 , 326 52, 800 52, 800 52, 800 52, 800 32,959 32,959 3 2, 959 32, 959
Total operating cost 1 2 6 , 1 56 124,675 202, 094 1 99 , 87 3 3 1 8, 7 00 306 , 93 0 338,690 326 , 920 3 06 , 3 3 8 299, 501 3 12, 139 305, 302
Operating cost/ ton 2.95 2.92 2.41 2.38 4.90 4.72 4 . 03 3.89 2.35 2 . 29 2.23 2.18

Financing& ownership costs:


Plant depreciation 23, 58 1 2 1,651 23,581 21,651 80, 1 49 84, 842 80, 1 49 84, 842 200,000 1 42,572 200, 000 1 4 2, 572
Vehicle depreciation 6 , 042 6 , 042 6 , 042 6 , 042 9,675 9,675 9,675 9,675 0 0 0 0
(J1
w Interest 1 6 , 059 3 2 , 477 1 6 , 059 3 2 , 477 64, 558 1 2 7 , 26 2 64, 558 1 27, 262 70,448 2 1 3, 8 58 70,448 2 1 3 , 8 58
Total financing and
ownership cost 45,682 60, 170 45,682 60, 1 7 0 1 54, 382 22 1 , 7 79 1 54, 382 2 2 1 , 77 9 270, 448 356,430 270,448 3 56,430
Financing and
ownership cost/ton 1 . 07 1.41 0. 54 0.72 2.38 3.41 1 . 84 2.64 2 . 07 2. 73 1 . 93 2 . 55

Total cost 1 71,838 1 8 4, 845 247,776 260, 043 472, 082 528, 709 492 , 072 548,699 576, 786 655,931 582 , 587 66 1 , 7 32
Total costlton 4 . 02 4.33 2.95 3.10 7 . 28 8. 13 5 . 87 6 . 53 4.42 5. 0 2 4. 1 6 4.73

Operating costs:
Direct labor $202, 407 $205, 1 39 $202,407 $205, 1 39 $ 16 5,684 $ 18 1 , 39 1 $1 6 5, 6 84 $ 18 1 , 3 9 1 $ 1 50, 949 $ 145, 434 $ 160, 949 $ 1 45,434
Utilities 6 5 , 260 6 5 , 260 90, 4 18 90, 4 18 67,632 67,632 70, 500 70, 500 3 1,952 3 1 , 952 75,777 75, 777
Parts and supplies 5 7 , 33 2 57, 332 79,433 79,433 5 1 , 540 5 1 , 54 0 53, 725 53, 725 2, 7 00 2, 700 6 , 403 6,403
Vehicle operations 4, 188 4, 188 5, 802 5,802 9, 600 9,600 1 0, 007 10, 007 1 3 , 96 8 1 3 , 96 8 33, 1 2 7 33, 1 2 7
External repairs 1 , 999 1 , 999 2 , 770 2, 770 1 2 , 7 58 12,758 1 3, 299 1 3, 2 9 9 808 808 1,916 1 , 9 16
Dispo sal charges 0 0 0 0 1 0, 364 1 0, 364 1 0, 8 03 1 0,803 27,720 27,720 65,741 6 5, 7 4 1
Overhead 123, 577 123, 577 1 23 , 57 7 1 2 3 , 577 84,674 84,674 84, 6 74 84 ,674 2 1,331 21,331 2 1, 3 3 1 2 1,331
Total operating cost 454,763 457, 495 504,407 507 , 1 39 402, 252 4 1 7 , 9 59 408,692 424,399 259,428 243 , 9 1 3 365,244 349, 729
Operating cost/ton 4.50 4.53 3.60 3.62 2.49 2 . 59 2.43 2. 53 5.49 5. 1 7 3 . 26 3.12
T a b le 14 ( C an t' d)

Incinerator E Incinerator F Incinerator G


Normal Capacity Design Capacity Normal Capacity Desi gn Capacity Normal Capacity Design Capacity
Item
Actual Adjusted Projected Adjusted Actual A dj u sted Projected Adjusted Actual Adjusted Proj ected Adj usted

Financing& ownership costs:


Plant depreciation 1 1 0, 7 26 168, 574 1 1 0, 7 26 168, 574 80,000 1 2 1 , 795 80, 000 1 2 1 , 79 5 1 0 1 , 23 4 1 1 1 , 7 22 1 0 1 ,234 1 1 1 , 722
Vehicle depreciation 3, 5 1 6 3 , 5 16 3 , 5 16 3 , 5 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Interest 1 06 , 859 252, 860 1 06 , 859 252, 860 75, 840 1 82,693 7 5 , 840 182,693 8 1 ,494 1 6 7 , 583 8 1 ,494 1 6 7 , 583
Total financing and
ownership cost 22 1 , 1 0 1 424,950 221, 101 424, 950 1 55, 840 304,488 1 5 5, 840 304,488 182,728 279,305 182,728 279, 305
Financing and
ownership cost/ ton 2. 19 4.20 1 . 58 3 . 04 0.97 1 . 89 0.93 1.81 3 . 87 5.91 1 . 63 2 . 50

Total cost 6 7 5 , 864 882,445 725, 508 932, 089 558, 092 7 2 2 , 447 564, 532 728, 887 442 , 1 56 523, 2 18 547,972 629, 034
Total cost/ton 6.69 8.73 5. 1 8 6.66 3 . 46 4 . 48 3 . 36 4.34 9 . 36 1 1 . 08 4.89 5.62
U1
.j>.
The adjusted projected annual cost at design cost for Incinerator A was $73, 703, down from the
capacity was also determined (Table 14). All in­ actual cost of $75,184. To adjust the plant
cinerators were operated below design capacity on depreciation and interest charges, it was assumed
an annual basis because of insufficient waste or that plant life is 25 years, simple interest charges
equipment downtime; this was not true, however, are 6 percent, and construction started 2 years before
during the study periods. The projected costs were the facility began operating. Capital costs were
determined by prorating costs that depend on the adjusted to the year 1967 with the use of a con­
quantity of material processed (actual vs. design). struction cost index. This construction cost index
The costs that vary with the amount of material pro­ was developed from three sources [8-10]. Unpublish­
cessed are utilities, parts and supplies, vehicle ed data developed by the American Society of Civil
operations, external repair charges, and residue Engineers and The American Society of Mechanical
disposal charges. With one exception (Incinerator A), Engineers show that the capital costs for construct­
labor costs did not increase significantly with the ing incinerators are divided between building and
amount of waste processed because all facilities equipment in a 60: 40 ratio [8]. As a result, 60 per­
studied were staffed for operation at full capacity. cent of a building cost index [9] and 40 percent of
Incinerator A was operating on a two-shift basis, and an equipment cost index [10] were used to develop
projection to design capacity required the addition the facility cost index :
of another shift. To determine the annual design
capacity, the daily design capacity was multiplied Year Index
by 280 operating days. To illustrate this projection,
1967 . 1.0000
Incinerator A, with a design capacity of 84,000 tons/
1966 . l .0526
year (300 tons/day x 280 days), actually processed
1965 . 1.1036
42,700 tons of waste. The projected utility costs for
1964 . 1.1476
processing 84,000 tons was $34,135, an increase
1963 . 1.1881
from the actual cost, $17,352.
1962 . 1.2326
The projected annual cost data were also adjusted
1961 . 1.2687
to a common reference point so that the data from the
various incinerators could be compared (Table 14). To adjust interest charges, the adjusted capital
The primary items requiring adjustment are labor costs. were multiplied by the 6 percent interest
costs, plant depreciation, and interest. To adjust charged. For Incinerator A, the adjusted interest
labor cost to reflect similar wage rates, the actual charges were $32,477, up from the actual $16,059.
cost was multiplied by $3.00 and divided by the To calculate the adjusted plant depreciation, the
average hourly labor cost for the facility (which for adjusted capital costs were divided by the assumed
Incinerator A was $3.06). Thus, the adjusted labor 25-year plant life.
� TOTAL ANNUAL COST Comparison of adjusted annual costs for a per ton
of solid waste processed shows that financing and
� OPERATING COST 1 00%
ownership costs (Fig. 6) are a significant portion of
the total costs.
10
I':':':':i FINANCING AND OWNERSHIP COST
Comparison of actual costs with projected costs
shows the effect of operating the incinerator at less
than design capacity (Fig. 7). Operating an inciner­
.
o ator at less than design capacity, as shown by the
! 53%
data for Incinerator G, can be quite expensive.
(Note that the data for Incinerator G were for the
first year of operation and that the facility presently
operates near design capacity.)
When a new incinerator is designed, facilities for
handling future quantities of waste should be care­
fully considered. If the size of the plant is too large,
A o it is implied that the cost of "idle" equipment may
INCINERATOR be excessive. These data tend to reinforce the con­
cept of building a facility to dispose of the current
F i g. 6 To t a l An n u a l Co s t s of I nc i n e rato r s amount of solid waste with provisions for adding

55
ACTlJAL COST PER
� RECEIVING
1 1 .00
TON (ADJUSTED) 60

PROJECTED COST � WI!Ifj VDLUMfI.I REDUCTION


PER TCN (ADJUSTED)
10.00

\0 t·:·:·:·:1 EFFLUENT
:;;
0 44%

"'-
9.0) u
"
z
i= 40 39%
'"
-<

w �

ill' �3��
8.00
34%
0 1,
-'
>-
<:
3
0

30
7.00 >- 2� �:�
] t!-

"'-
o
a
>-
z ::::
! u
w

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2!.%
20 16
:;;
w


U

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10
:���

A B 0
!�� : E
�!j j
G
INCINERATOR

F i g. 9 P e rcenta g e Di stri b u t i o n of O p e ra t i n g Co s t s by
Co s t Center

INCINE RATOR

F i g. 7 P ro j ected Co s t s at D e s i gn C ap a c i ty and A c tu a l
Co s t s o f I n c i n e r a to r s

!·:·.··:·I TOTAL
� LABOR
0 UTILITIES
AEPAIRS ANO
mxm MAINTENANCE
- OTHER

6.00

'
1 00%

'''
\.00
1 00'.

'''
1 00%
::
:..::..

''
.:.
c
a

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a 4.00 .. :..
:.. ::
! �.��.

''
. .

''
...:. :::

''
:: 60%

'''
:;;
0
u 3.00 1 0 010
::: . 6 1 o� :.::. :.::

'''
. =:.: :..

'''
>- 100%
z

'
:::l
::=
.. ::.: 100% :..::.. 4\% ::
:. :. .. .. ::.
.. \9%
:.:. .. ..
2.00
. ..
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:.:
3\%
:.:

'
::.
..: .:
;�� :. 22%

'
2\%

:..: :.:
14 :: 1 3
:.:
1 . 00
:. %

:.:
:�::
::
:.: ��� F
:
G
A B 0

INCINERATOR

F i g. 8 O p e ra t i n g - Co s t B re a k do wn by E x p en d i ture Ty p e

56
additional combustion units as required. This is too To identify the capital costs further, investments
simple a picture, however; increasing construction in buildings, equipment, and miscellaneous items
and interest costs may override this concept. were analyzed (Table 16). (Note that the incinerators
analyzed were very different in construction and
Capital Cos t s design.)

Capital investment in the incinerators studied


Ta ble 1 6
varied from $1,800 to $8, 400 per ton of design
Breakdown o f Ca p i to l I n vestmen t
capacity (Table 15). Because Incinerator A did not
have scales, residue quench tanks, a crane (charging Plant Adjusted Cost Percent of Total
was with a front-end loader) , or a storage pit, the
capital requirements were obviously less. Incinerator A:
Bu ildings $ 19 1,979 35.5
Ta b l e 1 5 Equipment 333,977 61.7
Miscellaneou s 1 5 , 3 20 2.8
An a l y s i s o f Ca p i to l I n ve s tmen t
Total 5 4 1 , 27 6 1 00 . 0

Actual Adjusted Adjusted


Incinerator B:
Incinerator Cost Cost Cost/Ton
Buildings 1 , 4 28, 1 19 67. 3
E quipment 530, 593 25.0
A $47 1 , 6 59 $ 54 1, 276 $ 1 804
Miscellaneous 162,328 7.7
B 1 , 848 , 240 2 , 1 2 1 , 040 7070 Total 2, 1 21 , 040 1 00 . 0

D 3, 000,000 3, 564,300 7 1 29
Incinerator E:
E 3, 32 1 , 7 7 9 4,2 14,341 8429 Bu ildings 1 , 3 1 2 , 506 31.2
E quipment 2 , 7 1 1 , 1 98 64.3
F 2,400,000 3, 044,880 5075
Miscellaneous 1 90,637 4.5
G 2, 530,855 2,793,052 6983 Total 4,2 14,341 1 00.0

70 69',
6711�
� LABOR
60 59%
'"
z
&::;:;:� UTILITIES
'>
W
52%
50
u
w
'"'"
0
u.
44% IXXXWJ REPAIRS
>-

'"
u 40 � OVERHEAO
z

'"
>=
«
w

-'
0
30
"-

«
>-
27%
25"�
0
>- 24%
u.
0
E
� i'
20 19%

>-
z
w
'" 16% 16',
U
14%E �"...
w
E g' .. .

::.:
: .
"-

10% 10% 10% :::


10 8% E
..
:
�E .... E
:.. .....
:=:

I
:�:.
E
� ..
.
E 4',
..:�:: E :::j
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.

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h 0 E
3%
E E �
0

g:.: % ::: %
F �::: % ::: %

A B D F G

INCINERATOR

F i g. 10 R e c e i v i n g Co s t C enter: P e rcenta g e Di s t r i bu t i o n
o f O p e r a t i n g Co s t s by E xpen d i tu r e Ty p e

57
Table 1 8

O p e ra t i n g C o s t Breakdown by Cost C en ters

Incinerator A Incinerator B Incinerator D Incinerator E Incinerator F Incinerator G


Cost Center
Actual Adjusted Actual Adjusted Actual Adjusted Actual Adjusted Actual Adjusted Actual Adjusted

Receiving and handling:


Direct labor $ 2 5 , 06 2 $24, 568 $79,000 $74,290 $ 5 1 , 942 $ 50, 103 $67,470 $68, 3 8 1 $ 59, 294 $64, 9 1 5 $73,36 0 $66 ,288
Utilities 0 0 3,020 3,020 1 2 , 6 00 12,600 6 , 964 6 , 964 12,7 15 12,7 1 5 18,720 18,720
Vehicle operating expense 1 , 564 1 , 564 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Repairs and maintenance 6 , 824 6 , 824 9, 1 1 2 9, 1 1 2 1 3 , 766 1 3, 766 39,345 39,345 1 7 , 960 17,960 1 8 , 642 18,642
Overhead 3,775 3,775 21 , 1 19 2 1 , 1 19 8,864 8,864 4 1 , 1 92 4 1 , 192 30,302 30,302 9 , 08 1 9,081
Total 37,225 36 , 7 3 1 1 12 , 2 5 1 107, 54 1 87, 1 7 2 85,333 1 54,97 1 1 55, 882 1 20, 2 7 1 1 2 5, 892 1 1 9, 803 1 1 2, 7 3 1

Volume reduction:
Direct labor 3 5, 504 34,805 59, 2 5 0 55,720 48, 4 5 1 46 , 7 36 30,667 3 1,081 34,226 37, 4 7 1 1 4 , 26 0 1 2, 8 8 5
Utilities 8 , 597 8, 597 7,480 7,480 2,700 2,700 7 , 7 24 7,724 8,251 8,251 6, 193 6, 193
Repairs and maintenance 2 1 ,641 2 1, 6 4 1 56 ,826 56 , 826 60, 1 08 60, 1 08 85, 597 85, 597 77,804 77, 804 17,834 17,834
(J1
\0 Overhead 5, 348 5, 348 1 5, 8 3 9 1 5,839 8,268 8,268 1 8 , 7 25 18,725 1 7 ,492 1 7 , 492 1,819 1,819
Total 7 1,090 70,391 139,395 1 35 , 86 5 1 19,527 1 1 7, 8 1 2 1 42, 7 1 3 143, 1 2 7 137,773 14 1 , 0 1 8 40, 1 06 38,731

Effluent handling and treatment:


Direct labor 4, 1 7 6 4,094 29,6 25 2 7 , 86 0 39, 1 56 37,770 42,935 43, 5 1 5 40,485 44, 3 2 3 29,325 26, 498
Utilities 8,755 8,755 9, 500 9, 500 2 , 7 00 2,700 50, 572 50, 572 46 ,666 46,666 77,03 9 7,039
Vehicle operating expense 175 175 7 , 200 7 , 200 7,670 7,670 4, 1 8 8 4, 1 88 9,600 9,600 1 3 ,968 13,968
Disposal charges 700 700 2, 000 2 , 000 3 2 , 232 32,232 0 0 1 0, 364 10, 364 27,720 27,720
Repairs and maintenance 3 , 406 3,406 1 0, 8 09 10,809 1 1 , 1 99 1 1 , 1 99 33, 1 7 1 33, 1 7 1 16,402 1 6 ,402 17,834 17,834
Overhead 629 629 7,920 7,920 6 ,682 6,682 26, 2 1 3 26 , 2 13 20, 6 9 1 20, 6 9 1 3,632 3,632
Total 17,841 17,759 67, 054 6 5, 2 89 99,639 98, 2 5 3 1 57 , 079 1 57 , 6 59 1 44 , 2 08 1 48,046 99, 5 1 9 96,69 1
Total 126, 1 56 124,88 1 3 1 8, 7 0 0 308,695 306,338 3 0 1 , 398 454, 763 456,668 402 , 2 52 4 14,956 259,428 248, 1 5 3
Operating Costs breakdown of the repair and maintenance costs and
allocation to cost centers was made (Table 17).
The operating costs were analyzed to determine Analysis of operating costs by cost centers
the relationship between labor, utility, and repair shows no real trend between the three cost centers
and maintenance costs. In all cases, labor costs (Table 18, Fig. 9). Analysis of the operating cost
were highest and utility costs, lowest (Fig. 8). A for the receiving cost center shows, however, that

� LABOR
[8:83 UTILITIES
rJlm REPAIR
60%
z
0
60
- OVERHEAD
;::: 55'.
u
::>
a
"' 51',
'" SO 49',
"'
'"
--'
::>

0
46%

> 42',
'" 4 1 ',
0 4000
u.. 40
t;;
8
L> 33'"
z
;::: 3 1 "0
«
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"'
"- 27%
0
--'
«
>- 22"t
a
>- 20
u..
0
>-
z
"'
u
'"
"'
"- 10

INCINERATOR

F i g. 1 1 V o l u m e- R ed u c t i on Co s t Cen t e r : P ercen t a g e D i s­
t r i bu ti on o f O p e rat i n g Co s t s by E x p en d i tu re T y p e

L>
Z
:::i
a
z
LABOR mIIII DISPOSAL
«
r so
CHARGES
>-
z _ UTI LITIES rII!lf1J REPAIR
"'
--'
::>
4rt
C
� 6���A\�ON CJ OVERHEAD
!!::
"'
'" 40 )800
0
u..
t;;
0
U
L>
3 )0 29%
>- 28�
«
'"
"'
"-
0 2
--'
«
f,;i

>- �8%
20

1�
0
>-
u.. j.!.!
0
>- �
z
"' !.! II 11% 1�
u
'"
E

'I: �D
10

n
w
0.. � I� �

� 4 � ��
A B
liE o
�2. E
I11 G

INCINERATOR

F i g. 1 2 E ffl u en t -H a n d l i n g Co st C en t e r : P ercen tage Di s ­


tri bu t i on o f O p erati n g Co s t s by E x p en d i tu re Ty p e

60
labor costs average 58 percent and far exceeded all The credit for the success of these studies
other costs (Fig. 10). This would tend to indicate belongs to the study team members. Among others,
that costs in this center might be reduced by auto­ the authors would like to acknowledge the efforts of
mating the operations. Analysis of operating costs J. Giar, A. O 'Connor, I. Cohen, J. Hahn, T. Hegdahl,
for the volume-reduction cost center shows that R. Perkins, and J. Bridges, all of the Bureau of
labor and repair costs are the major expenditures Solid Waste Management.
and average 35 and 47 percent, respectively (Fig. 11).
Analysis of operating costs for the effluent handling RE FERENCES
cost center shows no definite trend between the
various items (Fig. 12). [ 1] D. E . C arruth and A. J. Klee, " An a l y s i s of Solid
Waste Composition; Statistical Technique to Detennine
Sample Size, - U . S. Department of H e al th , Education, and
Welfare, Cinc inn ati, Oh io, 1969.
CONCLUSIONS [2] ·Standard Methods for the Examination of Water
and Wastewater; Including Bottom Sediments and Sludge s , ­

For disposal of solid waste, these incinerators Am erican Public H ea l th Associ ation, American Water
Works A s s oci ation, and Water Pollution Control Federation,
functioned well; reduction of volume and volatiles
Americ an Public H e alth Association, Inc . , N ew York, N . Y .,
and the amount of heat released were greater than 1 2 th ed. , 1 96 5.
94 percent in all cases and in some cases approach­ [3] "Specifications for Incinerator Testing at Federal
ed 99 percent. Facilities, " National Center for Air Pollution Control,
U . S . Department o f H e a l th , E du c ation, and Welfare,
The proper treatment and disposal of incinerator
Durham, N. C . , October 1 96 7 .
effluents has generally been neglected at these [4] E . R . Zausner, " An Accounting System for In­
facilities. Process waters were contaminated, and, cinerator Operations, " U . S . Department of Health , Educa­
although several plants have primary treatment tion, and Welfare, Cincinn ati, Oh io, 1 96 9 .
facilities, further treatment is required before dis­ [5] E . Za u s n e r a n d R . L. H e l m s , " Computerized

charge to a watercourse. Particulate emissions were Economic An alysiS for Incineration , · U . S . Dep artment of
Hea lth, Education, and Welfare, Cincinn ati, Oh io,
in excess of all but the most lenient air-pollution­
(In press).
emission standards. The quality of the effluents [6] T. L . Stumph and R . L. Duprey, "Trends in Air
could be improved, however, by increasing invest­ Pollution Control Regulation s , " paper presented at 6 2nd
ment in pollution-control equipment. Annual Meeting, Air Pollution Control Associ ation, New
Y o rk , June 2 2-26, 1969.
Labor costs were the major portion of operating
[7] "Air Pollution Control Standards for Particulate
costs at every facility. Capital costs varied widely
Em ission s , " National Air Pollution Control Admini s tration,
at these facilities without affecting the quality of Training L e c ture Outline for Elements of Air Qu ality
the effluents. Management Course; U . S . Department of Health, Education,
and Welfare, 1 966.
[8] Unpublished data for the years 1940 to 1 95 6 ,
S o l i d W a s t e Engineering Section, Committee on Sanitary
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Engineering Research, ASCE; unpublished data for the
years 1 953 to 1 96 8 , Task Group of design Subcommittee,
The excellent assistance and cooperation extend­ ASME.
ed by the staffs of the seven incinerators, including [9] "Inde x e s for Updating the Costs of General or

administrative personnel, contributed to the success­ Special Buildings , " Engineering News Record, vol . 1 80,
no. 12, March 2 1 , 1 96 8 , pp. 84-8 5 .
ful completion of these studies. The analytical sup­
[ 1 0 ] " General Purp o s e M achinery and Equipment
port, laboratory assistance, and facilities provided (Code 1 1-4) Who l e s a l e Price Inde x , · U . S . Department of
by county and State health departments, sanitation Labor, Bureau o f Labor Statistics, Washington, D. C . ,
authorities, and universities are greatly appreciated. March 1 96 6 .

61
APPENDI X : PHYSICAL DESCR I PTIONS O F
INCINER ATORS STUDIED

Inciner ato r A S olid-Waste Storage and Charging System - Enclosed


tipping floor; 3,000-yd3 storage pit; one bridge
Year B uilt - 1966. crane wi th grapple bucket; two charging hoppers.
Design Capacity (tonsl24 h) - 300. F urnace Type and Components Two refractory­
-

Solid-Waste S t orage and Charging System - Dumped lined, multiple-chambered furnaces with three
on enclosed tipping floor and transported to sections of inclined rocking grates.
charging hoppers by a front-end loader; con­ A ir-Draft System - Two 19 ,OOO-ft3/min forced-draft
tinual feed from hoppers by conveyors. fans for each furnace and one 200-ft-tall stack
F urnace Type and Components - Two refractory­ for natural draft.
lined, multiple-cham bered furnaces with in­ Residue-Handling System Quench tank with chain
-

clined, modi fied reciprocating grate sections flight conveyor; duplicate system available.
followed by stationary grate sections. A ir-Pollution-Control System - Wet scrubber: flooded
A ir-Draft System - An 11 ,000-ft 3/min forced-draft baffle wall s.
underfire-air fan and a 57 ,OOO-ft3 /min induced­ Effluent-Water Systems - F ly-ash scrubbing water
draft fan per furnace; no overfire air. recei ves pH adjustment, detention in settling
Residue-Handling System - Common chain flight basin, and is discharged weekly to sewerage
conveyor for both furnaces; partial spray system. Residue-quench water is detained in
quenching. settling basin and discharged weekly to
A ir-Pollution-Control System Wet scrubber:
-
sewerage system.
impingement on 42 12-in . diameter wetted Date S t udied - May 1968.
columns. Location Eastern United States.
-

Effluen t-Water Systems Residue-quenching water


-

flows to complete retention lagoons. Fly-ash Inciner ator C


scrubbing water flows to settling basins and
then to complete retention lagoons. Year Built - 1 967.
Date S t udied April 1968.
Design Capacity (tons/24 h) - 5 to 6 (1000 lb/h for
-

Loca tion - Western United States.


10 to 12 h).
S olid-Waste S torage and Charging System - Pilot
Inc i nerator B
plant; no permanent storage; charging by screw
conveyor from hopper.
Year Built - 1 966.
F urnace Type and Components Conical burner;
-

D e s ign Capacity (tons/24 h) - 300. double metal walls; fixed grates.

62
A ir-Draft System - An 1,800-ft3/min forced draft A ir-Draft System -A 25,000-ft3/min forced-draft,
underfire-air fan and 3600- (water scrubber) or underfire-air fan per furnace and one 200-ft-tall
5000-ft3/min (electrostatic precipitator) stack for natural draft.
induced-draft fan. Residue-Handling System - Residue-quench tank
Residue-Handling System - Manual cleanout after with chain flight conveyor; duplicate system
cooling period . available.
A ir-Pollution-Control Systems - Water scrubber: A ir-Pollution-Control System - Wet scrubber: water
centrifugal type; afterburner and water scrubber; sprays and a baffle wall .
electrostatic precipitator. E ffluent-Water Systems - Fly-ash scrubbing water
Effluent Water Systems - Fly-ash scrubbing water is also used for residue quenching; it then
flows to settling basin and final discharge to flows through a grit chamber before discharge
open watercourse. to open watercourse.
Date Studied - J uly 1968. Date S tudied - Decem ber 1 968.
Locat ion - Southern United States. Location - Southern United States.

Incinerator D
Incinerat o r F

Year Built - 1 965.


Year Bui It - 1 963.
Design Capac ity (tons/24 h) - 500.
D esign Capacity (tons/24 h) - 600.
Solid-Waste Storage and Charging System - Open
S olid-Wa s te Storage and Charging System - Open
tipping floor; two storage pits; two bridge
tipping floor; 2430-yd3 storage pit; two bridge
cranes; two charging hoppers.
cranes; two charging hoppers.
F urnace Type and Components - Two refractory­
F urnace Type and Componen ts - Two furnaces with
lined, multiple-chambered furnaces with two
three reciprocating grate sections followed by
sections of traveling grates (one inclined and
a rotary-kiln section.
one horizontal).
A ir-Draft System - A 25,000-ft3/min forced-draft,
A ir-Draft System - Forced-draft fan and natural draft
underfire-air fan per furnace and one 200-ft-tall
from 200-ft-tall stack for each furnace.
stack for natural draft.
Residue-Handling System Quench tank with chain
Residue-Handling System - Residue-quench tank
-

flight conveyor; duplicate system available.


with chain flight conveyor; duplicate system
A ir-Pollution-Control System - Wet scrubber: flooded
avai lable.
baffle walls.
A ir Pollution Control System - Wet scrubber: water
Effluent-Water Systems - All process water flows
sprays and a baffle wall .
through a settling basin and then to sewerage
E ffluent Water Systems - Fly-ash scrubbing water is
system .
also used for residue quenching: it then flows
Date Studied - October 1 968.
through a lagoon before discharge to open
Location - Midwestern United States.
watercourse.
Comments - One of two furnaces was out of operation
Dale S t udied - Decem ber 1 9 68.
during the week of the study; in an effort to
Location Southern United States.
-

process as much waste as possible, the other


Comments One of the two furnaces was out of
-

furnace was overloaded.


operation during the study.

Incinerator E
Incinerator G
Year Bui lt - 1 963 .
Design Capacity (tons/24 h) - 500. Year Built - 1.967.
Solid-Waste Storage and Charging System - Open D esign Capacity (tons/24 h) - 400.
tipping floor; 5150-yd3 storage pit; two bridge S olid-Was te S t orage and Charging System - Open
cranes; two charging hoppers. tipping floor; 1 750-yd 3 storage pit; one bridge
F urnace Type and Components - Two furnaces with crane; two charging hoppers.
three reci procating grate -sections followed by F urnace Type and C omponents - Two furnaces with
a rotary kiln. four sections of inclined reciprocating grates.

63
A ir-Draft System - A 20, OOO-ft3 min forced-draft A ir-Pollution-Control System - Multitube dry cyclones
underfire ai r, 24 , OOO-ft3 min forced-draft over­ following a wet-baffle wall .
fire air, and 1 20,OOO-ft3 min induced-draft fan Effluent-Water Systems - All process waters enter
per furnace. residue-quench tank and then go to a lagoon
Res idue -Handling System Residue quench tank
- with di scharge to a canal.
with chain flight conveyor; duplicate system Date S tudied - February 1 969.
avai lable. Location - Southern United States.

64

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