Emission Characteristics of Granulated Fuel Produced from Sewage Sludge and Coal Slime

Abstract

The neutralization of wastewater treatment residues is an issue for many countries. The European Union (EU) legal regulations have limited the use of the residues in agriculture and implemented a ban for their disposal. Therefore, urgent action should be taken to find solutions for the safe disposal of sewage sludge. The problem refers in particular to the new EU member countries, including Poland, where one can now observe an intensive development of sewage system networks and new sewage treatment plants. At the same time, these countries have few installations for thermal sewage sludge utilization (e.g., there is only one installation of that type in Poland). Simultaneously, there are many coal-fired mechanical stoker-fired boilers in some of these countries. This paper presents suggestions for the production of granulated fuel from sewage sludge and coal slime. Additionally, among others, lime was added to the fuel to decrease the sulfur compounds emission. Results are presented of research on fuel with two average grain diameters (～15 and 35 mm). The fuel with such diameters is adapted to the requirements of the combustion process taking place in a stokerfired boiler. The research was aimed at identifying the behavior of the burning fuel, with special attention paid to its emission properties (e.g., to the emissions of oxides of nitrogen [NO_x], sulfur dioxide [SO₂], and carbon mon-oxide [CO], among others). The concentration and emission values were compared with similar results obtained while burning hard coal. The combustion process was carried out in a laboratory stand where realization of the large-scale tests is possible. The laboratory stand used made simulation possible for a wide range of burning processes in mechanical stoker-fired boilers.     

Effects of sewage sludge blending on the coal combustion: A thermogravimetric assessment

Combustion of urban sewage sludge together with coal in existing infrastructures may be a sustainable management option energetically interesting for these materials, usually considered wastes. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to study the combustion of a semianthracite coal and the modifications undergone when adding a small percentage (2%, 5%, 10%) of sewage sludge. Both Differential Scanning Calorimetric analysis and Differential Thermogravimetry burning profiles showed differences between coal and sewage sludge combustion. However, the effects of adding a percentage of sewage sludge equal or smaller than 10% was hardly noticeable in terms of heat release and weight loss during the coal combustion. This was further proved by non-isothermal kinetic analysis, which was used to evaluate the Arrhenius activation energy corresponding to the co-combustion of the blends. This work shows that thermogravimetric analysis may be used as an easy rapid tool to asses the co-combustion of sewage sludge together with coal.     

Effects of sewage sludge blending on the coal combustion: a thermogravimetric assessment

Combustion of urban sewage sludge together with coal in existing infrastructures may be a sustainable management option energetically interesting for these materials, usually considered wastes. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to study the combustion of a semianthracite coal and the modifications undergone when adding a small percentage (2%, 5%, 10%) of sewage sludge. Both Differential Scanning Calorimetric analysis and Differential Thermogravimetry burning profiles showed differences between coal and sewage sludge combustion. However, the effects of adding a percentage of sewage sludge equal or smaller than 10% was hardly noticeable in terms of heat release and weight loss during the coal combustion. This was further proved by non-isothermal kinetic analysis, which was used to evaluate the Arrhenius activation energy corresponding to the co-combustion of the blends. This work shows that thermogravimetric analysis may be used as an easy rapid tool to asses the co-combustion of sewage sludge together with coal.     

燃煤工业锅炉排放二氧化硫对大气的污染及工业固硫型煤的应用

本文论述了我国燃煤工业锅炉排放ＳＯ２对大气污染的状况及发展趋势,以及应用工业固硫型煤控制燃煤工业锅炉对大气的污染。燃煤工业锅炉燃烧工业固硫型煤时,可明显地降低ＳＯ２和烟尘的排放量,并节约煤炭。在当前及今后相当长的时期内,推广和发展工业固硫型煤,是防治燃煤工业锅炉大气ＳＯ２污染的一条投资少、见效快、简便易行的实用措施,其经济效益及环境效益相当可观。     

Problems of Meeting Multiple Air Quality Objectives for Coal-Fired Utility Boilers

Gaseous wastes and particulate emissions are produced in the process of burning coal to produce electrical energy. In attempting to control these gaseous wastes, changes in the operation efficiency of boilers and secondary equipment are likely to result, and in addition liquid and solid waste streams are produced. The interrelationships among the various forms of wastes and the effects of air quality control on process efficiency are often overlooked in studies of environmental quality management.

The study was undertaken to evaluate the technical alternatives for handling gaseous and particulate emissions from coal-fired boilers and to determine the feasibility of meeting several standards simultaneously. The gaseous emissions of major importance in the combustion of coal are parti culates, oxides of sulfur, and oxides of nitrogen. Particulates can be controlled by a tradeoff among further preparation at the mine (for additional ash removal), type of boiler, use of dust control equipment and high stacks for dispersion of residual emissions, if ambient air standards are considered. Oxides of sulfur reduction depends currently on fuel substitution, limestone additives in the boiler and some form of contact process such as wet scrubbing, or the use of high stacks. Oxides of nitrogen control in coal fired boilers is restricted to small reductions by either changes in boiler operation, such as lower excess air levels, adsorption during wet scrubbing or by dispersion from high stacks.     

中小型燃用烟煤层燃炉NOx排放特征分析

以86台中小型燃烟煤层燃炉（≤65 MW）的燃料特性分析数据和NOx排放实测数据为基础,通过统计分析方法,研究了锅炉出力、过量空气系数、燃煤挥发分、燃煤氮含量对NOx排放浓度的影响,分析了我国中小型燃烟煤层燃炉NOx的排放与管理控制现状。结果表明,中小型燃用烟煤层燃炉NOx平均排放浓度为324.6 mg/m^3;锅炉出力对NOx排放浓度不具有显著影响;燃煤挥发分增高,NOx排放浓度降低;过量空气系数和燃煤氮含量增大,NOx排放浓度增高;并建议在国家层面上尽快制订燃煤锅炉NOx排放标准限值。     

我国氮氧化物排放因子的修正和排放量计算:2000年

根据我国城市的发展状况 ,采用城市分类的方法 ,将我国 2 6 1个地级市按照人口数量分为 5个类别。每类城市选取一个典型城市进行实地调查 ,对我国燃烧锅炉和机动车的NOx 的排放因子进行了修正 ,提出了适合我国目前排放水平的各类城市的固定源和移动源的排放因子。并依据 2 0 0 0年中国大陆地区的电站锅炉、工业锅炉和民用炉具的燃料消耗量和机动车保有量 ,以地级市为基本单位 ,估算了 2 0 0 0年我国各地区的NOx 排放量 ,分析了分地区、分行业、分燃料类型的NOx 排放特征。 2 0 0 0年我国NOx 排放总量为 11.12Mt,其中固定源占 6 0 .8% ;移动源占 39.2 %。NOx 排放在地域、行业和燃料类型上分布均不平衡。NOx 的排放主要集中在华东和华北地区 ,其排放量占全国排放量的一半以上。燃煤为最重要的NOx 排放源 ,其排放量占燃料型NOx 排放量的 72 .3%左右。     

PCDD/F, PAH and heavy metals in the sewage sludge from six wastewater treatment plants in Beijing, China

In order to better understand land application of sewage sludge, the characterization of heavy metals, PCDD/F and PAHs in sewage sludge was investigated from six different wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Beijing City, China. It was found that the total concentrations of Zn in Wujiacun (WJC) sewage sludge, and Cd and Hg in sewage sludge generated from all of the six different places are higher than Chinese regulation limit of pollutants for sludge to be used for agriculture (GB18918-2002). The levels of 16 PAHs that have been categorized as priority pollutants by US EPA in the sewage sludge samples varied from 2467 to 25923 microg/kg (dry weight), the highest values of 25923 microg/kg being found in WJC WWTP. The concentrations of Benzo[a]pyrene were as high as 6.1mg/kg dry weight in WJC sewage sludge, exceeding the maximum permitted content by GB18918-2002. Individual PAH content varies considerably with sewage samples. The ratios of anthracene to anthracene plus phenanthrene (An/178), benz[a]anthracene to benz[a]anthracene plus chrysene (BaA/228), indene[1,2,3-cd]pyrene to indene[1,2,3-cd]pyrene plus benzo[g,h,i]perylene (In/In+BP), and fluoranthene to fluoranthene plus pyrene (Fl/Fl+Py) suggest that petroleum and combustion of fossil fuel were the dominant contributions for the PAHs in sewage sludge. The concentrations of total PCDD/F in the sewage sludge ranged from 330 to 4245 pg/g d.w. The toxicity equivalent concentrations is between 3.47-88.24 pg I-TEQ according to NATO/CCMS, which is below Chinese legislation limit value proposed for land application. The PCDD/F congener/homologue profiles found in the Beijing samples indicated that the high chlorinated PCDD/F contamination might originate mainly from PCP-related source and depositional sources while the low chlorinated PCDD/F homologues could be originating from incineration or coal combustion. The major source of PCDD/Fs in Beijing sludge is still unclear.     

中小型燃用烟煤层燃炉NO_x排放特征分析

以86台中小型燃烟煤层燃炉(≤65 MW)的燃料特性分析数据和NOx排放实测数据为基础,通过统计分析方法,研究了锅炉出力、过量空气系数、燃煤挥发分、燃煤氮含量对NOx排放浓度的影响,分析了我国中小型燃烟煤层燃炉NOx的排放与管理控制现状。结果表明,中小型燃用烟煤层燃炉NOx平均排放浓度为324.6 mg/m3;锅炉出力对NOx排放浓度不具有显著影响;燃煤挥发分增高,NOx排放浓度降低;过量空气系数和燃煤氮含量增大,NOx排放浓度增高;并建议在国家层面上尽快制订燃煤锅炉NOx排放标准限值。     

Emission characteristics for co-combustion of leather wastes,sewage sludge,and coal in a laboratory-scale entrained flow tube furnace

Four different mixed fuels consisted of leather waste, coal, and sewage sludge were combusted in a lab-scale entrained flow fluidized bed furnace. The influence of blending ratio on emission characteristics of SO₂, NO_x, HCl, particulate matter (PM), heavy metals, and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) was studied. Results showed that the mixing of coal with sewage sludge had a complex effect on the emission characteristics. On the one hand, with more sewage sludge blending in the mixed fuel, the acid gas pollutant (SO₂, NO_x) decreased a lot, and the recovery of volatile heavy metals (Cd, Pb) increased at the same time. Furthermore, the leaching toxicity of Cr in the fly ash and bottom ash went down below the national standard with the adding of sewage sludge. On the other hand, the mixing of sewage sludge which consisted of more ash content resulted in the increase of the PM emission. Moreover, the high content of Cu and chlorine in the sewage sludge can promote the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) when the fuel 3 and 4 were combusted. Most importantly, the concentration of toxic PCDD/Fs in the flue gas produced from fuel 3 and fuel 4 was successfully controlled down below 0.20 ng I-TEQ/Nm³ by the active carbon.

     

Emissions from carpet combustion in a pilot-scale rotary kiln: comparison with coal and particle-board combustion

The use of post-consumer carpet as a potential fuel substitute in cement kilns and other high-temperature processes is being considered to address the problem of huge volumes of carpet waste and the opportunity of waste-to-energy recovery. Carpet represents a high volume waste stream, provides high energy value, and contains other recoverable materials for the production of cement. This research studied the emission characteristics of burning 0.46-kg charges of chopped nylon carpet squares, pulverized coal, and particle-board pellets in a pilot-scale natural gas-fired rotary kiln. Carpet was tested with different amounts of water added. Emissions of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide (NO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and total hydrocarbons and temperatures were continuously monitored. It was found that carpet burned faster and more completely than coal and particle board, with a rapid volatile release that resulted in large and variable transient emission peaks. NO emissions from carpet combustion ranged from 0.06 to 0.15 g/MJ and were inversely related to CO emissions. Carpet combustion yielded higher NO emissions than coal and particle-board combustion, consistent with its higher nitrogen content. SO2 emissions were highest for coal combustion, consistent with its higher sulfur content than carpet or particle board. Adding water to carpet slowed its burn time and reduced variability in the emission transients, reducing the CO peak but increasing NO emissions. Results of this study indicate that carpet waste can be used as an effective alternative fuel, with the caveats that it might be necessary to wet carpet or chop it finely to avoid excessive transient puff emissions due to its high volatility compared with other solid fuels, and that controlled mixing of combustion air might be used to control NO emissions from nylon carpet.     

污水处理厂污泥无害化处置工艺探讨

随着当前的污泥处置技术的发展,在对污水处理厂污泥处置工艺经济可行性分析的基础上,按照因地制宜原则提出一种适宜于江阴市污水处理厂污泥无害化处置方案。即污泥经改性深度脱水至含水率50%以下,再送热电厂掺煤焚烧处置工艺路线。     

造纸工业污泥燃烧特性及动力学实验研究

在不同升温速率及与其他污泥不同混合比例条件下，利用热重法对造纸污泥和含工业污水污泥进行了实验研究。结果表明，造纸污泥与含工业污水污泥表现出不同的DTG曲线形式，其中造纸污泥固定碳燃烧峰失重较为明显。随着升温速率的提高，造纸污泥的燃烧速率加大，燃尽时间缩短，提高了其综合燃烧特性；加入含工业污水污泥后，造纸着火性能及燃尽性能均得到改善。采用积分法（Coats-Redfern方程）计算得到各阶段燃烧反应的机理方程及相应的活化能参数，表明活化能的大小与试样的燃烧阶段是相对应的。     

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions from U.S. pulp and paper mills, 1980-2005

Comprehensive surveys conducted at 5-yr intervals were used to estimate sulfur dioxide (SO,) and nitrogen oxides (NO.) emissions from U.S. pulp and paper mills for 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2005. Over the 25-yr period, paper production increased by 50%, whereas total SO, emissions declined by 60% to 340,000 short tons (t) and total NO, emissions decreased approximately 15% to 230,000 t. The downward emission trends resulted from a combination of factors, including reductions in oil and coal use, steadily declining fuel sulfur content, lower pulp and paper production in recent years, increased use of flue gas desulfurization systems on boilers, growing use of combustion modifications and add-on control systems to reduce boiler and gas turbine NO, emissions, and improvements in kraft recovery furnace operations.     

The Development of Air Contaminant Emission Tables for Nonprocess Emissions

In New York State, the calculation of air contaminant emissions from a variety of sources is an essential part of comprehensive air pollution studies. The tables used to calculate emissions were obtained from an extensive literature search and modified to apply to New York State conditions. For example, sulfur dioxide emission factors for coal were selected to reflect the average sulfur content of the coal sold in New York State. Since the literature contains a wide array of emission factors, it was necessary to evaluate the factors and select those which would be most appropriate for the techniques used in conducting the comprehensive studies in New York State. This paper does not present the emission tables themselves but does outline the development of such tables for use in nonprocess calculations, i.e., combustion for heat and power of bituminous and anthracite coal, distillate and residual oil, natural and bottled gas; combustion of gasoline and diesel in internal combustion engines; burning of refuse in dumps and incinerators; and evaporation of gasoline from marketing operations.     

Emissions of sulfur trioxide from coal-fired power plants

Emissions of sulfur trioxide (SO3) are a key component of plume opacity and acid deposition. Consequently, these emissions need to be low enough to not cause opacity violations and acid deposition. Generally, a small fraction of sulfur (S) in coal is converted to SO3 in coal-fired combustion devices such as electric utility boilers. The emissions of SO3 from such a boiler depend on coal S content, combustion conditions, flue gas characteristics, and air pollution devices being used. It is well known that the catalyst used in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology for nitrogen oxides control oxidizes a small fraction of sulfur dioxide in the flue gas to SO3. The extent of this oxidation depends on the catalyst formulation and SCR operating conditions. Gas-phase SO3 and sulfuric acid, on being quenched in plant equipment (e.g., air preheater and wet scrubber), result in fine acidic mist, which can cause increased plume opacity and undesirable emissions. Recently, such effects have been observed at plants firing high-S coal and equipped with SCR systems and wet scrubbers. This paper investigates the factors that affect acidic mist production in coal-fired electric utility boilers and discusses approaches for mitigating emission of this mist.     

采用循环流化床技术焚烧城市生活垃圾

根据目前我国城市生活垃圾热值偏低的实际情况 ,提出以煤为辅助燃料 ,采用循环流化床焚烧技术处理生活垃圾 ,可大幅度降低运行成本 ,符合国情。阐述了循环流化床焚烧技术在降低NOx、SO2 和二噁等方面的优越性。尾气处理建议采用喷活性碳 +布袋除尘组合工艺 ,飞灰处理建议采用高温熔融处理     

Emissions of Sulfur Trioxide from Coal-Fired Power Plants

Abstract

Emissions of sulfur trioxide (SO₃) are a key component of plume opacity and acid deposition. Consequently, these emissions need to be low enough to not cause opacity violations and acid deposition. Generally, a small fraction of sulfur (S) in coal is converted to SO₃ in coal-fired combustion devices such as electric utility boilers. The emissions of SO₃ from such a boiler depend on coal S content, combustion conditions, flue gas characteristics, and air pollution devices being used. It is well known that the catalyst used in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology for nitrogen oxides control oxidizes a small fraction of sulfur dioxide in the flue gas to SO₃. The extent of this oxidation depends on the catalyst formulation and SCR operating conditions. Gas-phase SO₃ and sulfuric acid, on being quenched in plant equipment (e.g., air preheater and wet scrubber), result in fine acidic mist, which can cause increased plume opacity and undesirable emissions. Recently, such effects have been observed at plants firing high-S coal and equipped with SCR systems and wet scrubbers. This paper investigates the factors that affect acidic mist production in coal-fired electric utility boilers and discusses approaches for mitigating emission of this mist.     

Analysis of Industrial Boiler Solid Waste Impacts

This paper presents an examination of industrial coal-fired boiler waste products. Presently the atmospheric emissions from all new boilers larger than 250 × 10⁶ Btu/hr are controlled by existing New Source Performance Standards, and boilers smaller than 250 × 10⁶ Btu/hr are controlled to levels required by the regulations of the particular state in which the facility is located. The 1977 Clean Air Act Amendments, however, specify categories of sources for which EPA must develop revised New Source Performance Standards. Industrial coal-fired boilers are included as one of these categories, and a relevant issue concerns the potential amount of solid waste generated as a result of tightened emission standards that require flue gas desulfurization. This paper examines the air quality and solid waste impacts of moderate and stringent emission controls for particulate and SO₂ emissions from industrial coal-fired boilers.

Comparisons are presented of physical and chemical characterizations of the emissions and solid wastes produced when boilers are equipped with particulate and SO₂ control equipment. The SO₂ systems examined are lime spray drying, lime/limestone, double alkali, sodium throwaway, physically cleaned coal, and fluidized-bed combustion. The solid waste disposal alternatives and the disposal costs are discussed. The most common disposal methods used are landfill for dry wastes and impoundment for sludges, with special wastewater treatment requirements for the sodium throwaway aqueous wastes.     

城市污水处理厂污泥资源化利用技术进展

针对目前污水厂污泥传统处理方法存在的不足与弊端 ,提出污泥资源化利用技术是今后污泥最终处置的根本方式 ,并就目前研究的污泥热解制油技术、制取燃料技术、堆肥土地利用技术和热解制取吸附剂技术等主要的资源化利用技术进行了综述。