Modelling and Simulation of Low Calorific Value Municipal Solid Waste Incineration
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Date
2012-09
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Publisher
Research | Reviews | Publications,
Abstract
The paper focused on the mathematical modelling and simulation of low calorific value municipal solid waste
incineration in semiarid region. Municipal solid wastes were collected and analysed; from which wood samples were
taken and incinerated using a prototype incinerator. A mathematical model, based on Fourier series (FS) and finite
elements method (FEM) was developed, ran and validated using experimental and literature data. Critical minimum
volume of 4.93 m3 or about 6 % of the total volume of the incinerator would be needed at 20% moisture content refuse
and a critical maximum volume of 51.10 m3 or 69.21% of the total volume, would be needed at 50% moisture content.
The ignition time and the time at which the combustion becomes self-sustaining are greatly influenced by the moisture
content. Critical drying temperature was found to be 711.44 K. The grid size had little or no effect on the simulated
results. The developed model can accurately predict the critical sizes and performance of the actual plant even at its
virtual stage. There is need to optimize the critical drying temperature and mathematical model /physical model
correlation which would help improve the efficiency of the process and better understand the drying mechanism
involved.