Experimental measurements and computational modelling of a pilot scale incinerator

Abstract

A new incineration facility that has a disposal rate of 48 ton day(-1) has been constructed for design concept analysis. Local temperatures inside the furnace and concentrations of carbon monoxide and oxygen in the stack were continuously monitored during the experiments. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were employed to analyse the flow field in the furnace. Equations for radiation and turbulence as well as chemical reactions were solved. The results of temperature measurement were used to set the boundary condition for the CFD analysis. Computation and experiment were compared and cross-checked to evaluate the combustion gas flow performance. The temperature distribution above the waste bed indicated the combustion state of the waste. In the active reaction zone, the temperature changed rapidly in both position and time due to inhomogeneous reaction, whereas, in the cooling zone, the temperature had an almost constant value. The CFD analysis based on the assumptions of the bed combustion overpredicted the gas phase reaction rate. However, it showed reasonable agreement with the experimental results regarding the flow pattern and mixing performance. Three dead zones were detected by the CFD analysis. The predicted temperature and oxygen concentration showed poor mixing performance inside the initial incinerator design.