MOAB

Project:

Model-based determination of the fluctuating waste composition on the grate by raw gas measurements

Processor:

Dipl.-Ing. Antje David

Term:

01/2021 – 06/2023

Cooperation partner:

Clausthaler Umwelttechnik Forschungszentrum (CUTEC)

Sponsoring Institution:

The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) via the AiF within the framework of the IGF.

Background:

Waste as the heterogeneous input material for waste incineration plants can be described as a mixture of different fractions (paper, plastics, textiles, etc.) with a variable proportion. The composition of the fractions has a strong influence on the fuel properties such as combustion behavior, pollutant formation, fouling and corrosion potential and consequently on the plant operation. According to the current state of the art, the determination of fuel mass flow, calorific value and the proportions of water, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen in the fuel during operation is possible via online balancing. A knowledge of the fraction composition would also allow improvements in fuel-specific operation management and predictive maintenance. Thus, it provides access to a far-reaching, previously unused optimization potential.

Objective:

Aim of the project is the development and validation of a mathematical online calculation tool to determine the fractional composition of waste fuel from standard measurement data.

Procedure:

First step is the development and programming of the online calculation tool, consisting of online balancing and a numerical fractional model, with which the fractional composition of the waste can be determined from the measured waste gas composition.

Subsequently, the model is validated and modified by means of combustion tests on a grate firing pilot plant. The experiments will be performed at different process settings and with different waste fractions.

The practical test of the model at two commercial waste-to-energy plants will conclude the project.