Technology Evaluation of Army-Scale Waste-to-Energy Systems
Abstract
This investigation evaluated current and emerging technologies for the converting waste to energy in applications scaled for use on Army fixed facilities and installations. Technologies reviewed include: mass burning of wastes in package (modular) and field-erected systems; use of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in new combustion capital and as a supplementary fuel in existing Army-scale central steam generators; pyrolytic conversion of waste to a gaseous and liquid fuel; and anaerobic digestion of wastes to a fuel gas. The report includes application of a rating system for candidate technologies which considers dependability, practicability, conservation, environmental compatibility, economics, and length of operational history. Use of package waste-to-energy systems and use of RDF as a supplementary boiler fuel are treated in detail. Fully satisfactory methods of surveying installation solid waste to determine energy-recovery system design points are lacking, and currently used methods can result in misapplication of capital. Combustion of unprocessed and minimally processed (Once-shredded) solid waste in field-erected integrated waterwall combustors equipped with mechanical stokers is currently the superior energy recovery technology. Anaerobic digestion and pyrolytic conversion were found to be unproven but developing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA042578
Entities
People
- R. J. Dealy
- S. A. Hathaway
Organizations
- Construction Engineering Research Laboratory