Grantee Research Project Results
Application of Pulse Combustion in Solid and Hazardous Waste Incineration
EPA Contract Number: 68D00036Title: Application of Pulse Combustion in Solid and Hazardous Waste Incineration
Investigators: Scarborough, Martin
Small Business: Sonotech Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1990 through April 1, 1991
Project Amount: $49,967
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1991) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , SBIR - Waste , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
The objective of this study is to demonstrate that the performance of incinerators can be improved by retrofitting them with a pulse combustor which will excite acoustic pulsations within the system. Based upon evidence provided by related studies, these pulsations are expected to increase the mixing rate between the fuel and oxidizer, and the burn rate of waste; improvements which are expected to increase the incinerator output, increase the degree of destruction of hazardous substances, and reduce the required amount of excess air. The proposed studies will investigate the incin- eration of three surrogate wastes (PVC, a mixture of toluene and corncob, and a mixture of fuel oil no. 5 with corncob) in a small scale incinerator equipped with a frequency tunable, pulse combustor. Tests will be repeated under the same operating conditions with the pulse combustor oper- ated in a steady and a pulsating mode. Investigated pa- rameters will include the flow rates of the fuel and air, the type and amount of waste, and the amplitude and frequency of pulsations. The performance of the incinerator will be determined from measured time dependencies of the exhaust flow temperature, CO CO2, O2, THCs and soot concentra- tions, and the amplitudes and frequencies of pulsations in the combustor and incinerator. The effect of pulsations will be determined from comparisons or the incinerator perfor- mance with pulsations present and absent in the system.Supplemental Keywords:
RFA, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Hazardous Waste, Chemistry and Materials Science, Hazardous, Engineering, Incineration/Combustion, Environmental Engineering, hazardous waste disposal, combustion byproducts, advanced treatment technologies, oxidation, hazardous waste incineration, industrial technology, emissions, emission controls, hazardous waste incinerators, pulsed combustion, combustion technology, energy efficiency, waste incineration, combustion, contaminant management, increased burn rate, air emissions, incineration, clean combustionProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.