Processing Options for a Heavy Fraction from MB-Treatment: an Economical and Ecological Comparison

In collaboration with the operator of a waste treatment plant, a mechanical-biological pretreated waste stream was analysed to find options for further processing technologies permitting separation into a landfill fraction (low-calorific and inert) and a high calorific fraction for subsequent thermal utilization/treatment. The focus of the processing step looked at lies on creating a fraction, which meets the criteria for landfilling.

As part of the research, a processing technology which replaces the previously used technology, which yielded insufficient separation results, should be found. The considered material stream a middle-caloric MBT output stream (lower heating value (LHV) = 9.90 MJ/kg WW, particle size = 20 - 80 mm) with a high proportion of inert material like stones, bricks, and metals (40.5 %m) also contains a high proportion of energy-rich materials (such as plastics, wood, textiles, etc.). This poses a great challenge to the separation procedure. Without further treatment this waste stream cannot be disposed at a landfill according to the Austrian landfill ordinance. Especially the compliance with the threshold of the higher calorific value (HCV < 6,600 kJ/kg DM) cannot be guaranteed. Therefore the waste stream is currently incinerated. Under favourable market conditions, it could be economically advantageous to split off a low-caloric heavy fraction (HF) that can be landfilled and to incinerate only the remaining, lighter fraction (LF) with a higher heating value.
Two sensor-based sorting technologies - (near-infrared and X-ray based technologies) and three mechanical separation methods (jigger, cross flow air separator and sieve classification after selective crushing) were investigated as possible processing technologies. The technologies were comparatively evaluated based on the results of a manual sorting of the processing products with respect to their quality. The overall assessment of the technologies was complemented by a comparative economical and ecological analysis of the selected treatment technologies and the resulting opportunities regarding further routing of the newly generated waste streams.
The economic analysis of the different treatment technologies is taking into account the treatment costs for separating the considered waste stream as well as the specific costs for further treatment of the newly generated waste streams. Due to the high consumption of energy of the selective crushing and the pressurised air consumption of the X-ray based technology these scenarios have the highest specific treatment costs. Therefore no overall cost reduction can be gained using these technologies compared to the reference scenario. The near-infrared and the air separation scenario have significantly reduced treatment costs and a more favourable mass ratio of LF and HF and show therefore a positive overall cost reduction potential.



Copyright: © Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben
Quelle: Depotech 2012 (November 2012)
Seiten: 4
Preis: € 2,00
Autor: B.Sc. Martina Meirhofer
Dipl.-Ing. Manuel Sommer
Prof. Dr. Arne Michael Ragoßnig
D. Rixrath
 
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