Experimental Testing and Thermoeconomic Analysis of an Incineration Plant Postcombustor With Oxycombustion

Abstract

Experimental testing was performed on a prototype postcombustor fueled by pure oxygen and designed to treat exhaust gases from industrial waste incineration. The tests validated the technical feasibility of the small-size oxycombustion incinerator, which not only proved to be more flexible and compact than conventional systems of the same rating, but also faster in reaching operating conditions. The thermoeconomic analysis which followed was based on an exergy balance developed from the system’s operating conditions measured in the previous experimental phase. A subsequent comparison with conventional air-fueled solutions has shown that oxycombustion offers considerable energy savings and, as a result, economic benefits.