Page 128 - Wastewater Solids Incineration Systems

96 Wastewater Solids Incineration Systems

Gas Stream Cleanup/Component Separation Fuels
Syngas
CO/H Chemicals
2
H 2

H 2 Transportation Fuels
Gaseous
Coal Constituents
Particulates
Fuel Cell
Electric Power
Combined
Biomass Combustion Turbine Cycle
Sulfer/
Feedstock Sulfuric Acid Generator
Petroleum Solids Air
Coke/Resid Electric Power
Oxygen
ASU Air Exhaust
Water
Waste
Exhaust Stack
Heat Recovery
Steam Steam Generator CO 2
Generator
Marketable Solid Byproducts

Steam Turbine
Electric Power
FIGURE 5.20 A typical process schematic for gasification.

incineration include the ability to control air emissions and, because of the production
of products with energy value, the process is seen as an energy-recovery technology.
Incineration often is considered a disposal or destructive technology. In addition, gasi-
fication has not received the negative public perception that incineration has.

10.2.2 Plasma Arc
Plasma arc technology is a non-incineration thermal process that uses extremely high
temperatures in an oxygen-starved environment to completely decompose waste into
simple molecules (CIWMB, 2001). The extreme heat and lack of oxygen results in
pyrolysis of the feed cake. Plasma arc technology has been used for many years for
metals processing. The heat source is a plasma arc torch, a device that produces a
very high-temperature plasma gas. A plasma gas is the hottest sustainable heat
source available, with temperatures ranging from approximately 1480 to 6650°C
(2700 to 12 000°F). A plasma arc system is designed specifically for the type, size, and
quantity of feed solids to be processed. The high temperature profile of the plasma