ABSTRACT
The basic technology for modern waste-to-energy (WTE) combustion was developed in Europe during the 1960s and 1970s. The ultimate or elemental analysis of the combustible portion of the municipal solid waste (MSW) refers to the chemical analysis of the waste for carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, chlorine, and nitrogen. Potential emissions from the combustion of MSW may be broadly classified into particulates, gaseous emissions, organic compounds, and trace metals. The level of excess air required in the combustion of MSW depends on the configuration of the combustion chamber, the nature of the fuel firing equipment, and the effectiveness of mixing combustion air with the MSW. An excess air level of 80" is commonly associated with combustion of MSW in modern WTE facilities. The fuel material is usually blown into the furnaces, where it is partially burned while in suspension, with combustion being completed on grates at the bottom of the furnace.
