Print this page Air Pollution Aspects of Thermal Waste Processing Systems
Walter R. Niessen, P.E., B.C.E.E.
Course Outline
The course assumes a basic understanding of chemistry, mathematics and basic engineering analysis perspectives. Building on this base, the student is guided to an understanding of interaction between waste characteristics, process design and operations as it results in the generation (or suppression) of emissions of particulate matter, acid gases, combustible pollutants (CO, VOCs, PNHs, dioxins etc.), nitrogen oxides and “air toxics.” The course begins with pollutant generation (as it derives from both waste chemistry and operation conditions in the incinerator) and then moves to the alternatives in control technology.
This course includes
a multiple choice quiz at the end,
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand the waste and process characteristics resulting in emission of particulate matter;
- Understand the waste and process characteristics resulting in emission of acid gases (SO2, HCl, HF) ;
- Understand the waste and process characteristics resulting in emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx);
- Understand the waste and process characteristics resulting in emission of metals;
- Understand the waste and process characteristics resulting in emission of other air toxics;
- Understand the design features and performance expectations for settling chambers;
- Understand the design features and performance expectations for cyclones and other inertial collectors;
- Understand the design features and performance expectations for wet scrubbers;
- Understand the design features and performance expectations for scrubber accessories;
- Understand the design features and performance expectations for electrostatic precipitators;
- Understand the design features and performance expectations for fabric filters;
- Understand the design features and performance expectations for absorbers;
- Understand the features of specialized techniques and devices for NOx control;
- Understand the features of specialized techniques and devices for mercury control;
- Understand the features of specialized techniques and devices for dioxin control;
- Review the control strategies applicable to incinerator air pollution control; and
- Review the general area of continuous emission monitoring.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for civil, environmental, mechanical and chemical engineers involved with or about to be involved with incineration systems; with particular applications to solid and hazardous wastes and biosolids applications.
Benefit to Attendees
The course gives practicing engineers, regulators, and permit specialists the basic tools to analyze air pollutant emissions and the relationship between the wastes burned and the raw (uncontrolled) and controlled emissions for the several classes of combustors; for the preparation of permit documents and air dispersion analysis input parameters and the like.
Course Introduction
Purification by fire is an ancient concept, its applications noted in the earliest chapters of recorded history. However, the price of this benefit includes the potential for the emission of a wide range of air pollutants. In the early days of waste incineration, these emissions were dismissed as the acceptable consequence of a necessary public service. But, with the growing awareness of environmental health and economic impact issues, there arose a clamor for national and local regulations to limit emissions to levels assessed as acceptable from both health and aesthetic standpoints.
Meeting these requirements is best accomplished by thoughtfully answering three questions . . .
- How do the characteristics of the material being burned affect the emissions? (Can I limit their disposal and thus the emissions will be lower or stop altogether? What analysis protocols should I call upon to get the data needed to predict emissions? Based on the waste analysis, what will be the emission that I can anticipate as the “inlet loading” to any air pollution control equipment I install?)
- How does the design and operation of the combustor affect the emissions? (What design features should I incorporate to minimize emissions? What operating set points such as chamber temperatures, air flow rates etc. will reduce emissions?)
- What kinds of equipment can be used to control the emissions? (What are the options? What are the strong points, collection efficiency, problem areas etc. of the technologies available to me? What are the design equations I can use to evaluate prospective control efficiency?)
Course Content
In this lesson, you are required to download and study the following course content in PDF format:
Air Pollution Aspects of Thermal Waste Processing Systems
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Course Summary
Air pollutant emissions have become the focus of public concern and regulatory scrutiny regarding incineration facilities. The fraction of total facility capital cost for system components functionally directed at compliance with air emission limitations is, for many plants, more than 35% of the total investment. In many instances, the award of air pollution permits is the pacing and controlling event in the implementation of incineration facilities. Because of these realities, the first segment of the course explores the relationships between the quantity and characteristics of air pollutant emissions (particulate matter; acid gases; NOx; combustible pollutants such as CO and VOCs; and metals and other air toxics) and:
- The specific chemical and physical characteristics of the wastes to be burned;
- The design features of the combustor;
- The operating conditions in the combustor; and\
- The control effected by the air pollution control device(s).
The course then addresses the several technologies used with incineration equipment for pollutant abatement with special consideration of the control of NOx, mercury and other air toxics and dioxins.
The course and its associated quiz (which is, in itself, part of the learning experience) is intended to address these several topics for a range of incineration technologies; especially those burning domestic and light industrial waste and biosolids.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers http://www.asme.com/
Air and Waste Management Association http://www.awma.com/
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
