Page 36 - Wastewater Solids Incineration Systems

Introduction 5

4.0 ECONOMIC ISSUES

The economics of incineration have improved in the past few decades primarily due
to advances in dewatering technology. Dewatering can produce cake with 27 to 30%
total solids concentration, which supports autogenous combustion, meaning that no
auxiliary fuel is required. Several facilities were shut down in the early 1970s because
of the high costs of auxiliary fuel.
Typical incineration facilities have experienced annualized operating costs of
$155 to $310 per dry ton with a capital cost component of $40 to $60 per dry ton.
These costs include operation and maintenance, electricity, auxiliary fuel, and reuse
or disposal of ash (WEF, 2002). If additional energy is recovered and used to generate
electricity, the costs may be offset by $30 to $50 per dry ton.
When comparing alternatives, it is important to include the costs of preprocessing
(anaerobic digestion, dewatering, etc.) and post-processing (transportation, tipping fees,
etc.). An approach to an economic evaluation is presented in Appendix C.

5.0 USE OF THE MANUAL

Chapter 2, Safety, presents an overview of safety and personnel issues associated
with the incineration process.
Chapter 3, Permitting and Emission Regulations, provides an overview of the
current regulations and the incinerator permitting process.
Chapter 4, Combustion Theory, provides basic background information on
combustion.
Chapter 5, Combustion Technology, provides an overview of current combustion
technologies in use, including both fluid bed incinerators and multiple-hearth incin-
erators, as well as introducing other emerging technologies such as gasification,
plasma arc, and the SlurryCarb TM process.
Chapters 6, 7, and 8 provide information on heat recovery and reuse, emission
control and monitoring, and ash handling and recycling.
Chapter 9, Instrumentation and Control, provides an overview of process control
and monitoring requirements.
Chapters 10 and 11 provide an overview of operation and maintenance of fluid
bed and multiple-hearth incinerators.