Simulation and Optimization of Municipal Solid Waste Combustion: A Case Study of a Fixed Bed Incinerator

Abstract

In this study, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique was used to develop a model for the simulation and flow conditions of the incinerator. The CFD technique are based on subdividing the volume of interest, i.e., the combustion chamber (or other parts of the plant) into a grid of elementary volumes. The relevant equations of conservation (mass, momentum, energy) are then applied to each of those elements, after defining all inputs, outputs and boundary conditions. The resulting system is then integrated from start to finish, after introducing momentum, mass and heat transfer. The objective of the study was to evaluate and optimize the performance of locally available incinerators in Tanzania. The small scale municipal solid waste incinerator modelling was done by using a fluent solver. The case study of the existing incinerator at a Bagamoyo hospital in Tanzania was used as a model and the obtained values were compared with simulated results and other publications for validation. The design optimization using CFD techniques to predict the performance of incinerator showed the deviation of input air by 14%, the mass flow rate by 26.5%, the mass fraction of carbon dioxide by 10.4% and slight deviation of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. The study suggested removing the ash during the incineration process by using a moving grate mechanism to minimize the possibility of formation of NOX. The study found the maximum mass flow rate capacity of incinerator to be 68kg/h with input air A1 as 0.03639 kg/s, input air A2 as 0.03046 kg/s and input air A3 as 0.03409 kg/s. The findings indicated that as capacity is scaled up, the available momentum declines relative to the dimensions of the furnace.