R12948

RESEARCH RELATED TO CONVERSION OF MUNICIPAL

SOLID WASTE TO ENERGY

Proceedings of the 1988 International Energy Agency Workshop 27-29 June 1988

Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, UK

Andre Krol and Chris Dent (editors) Environmental Safety Centre, Harwell Laboratory,

Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 ORA, UK

Part of the MSW Conversion Activity, Task IV, IEA Biomass Agreement

CONTENTS

Paqe

INTRODUCTION

WORKSHOP PROGRAMME

1

3

I.

11.

11.1

11.2

PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST DAY 6

Title of Paper Aut ho rs

A Krol and 7 C G Dent (UK)

j20%7oclr Municipal Solid Waste Conversion to Energy: The Potential for Co-operative Research and Development between the UK, Sweden and Canada

UK Department of the Environment Research and Development

A J Smith (UK)

Canadian Overview of Energy from Waste J M Charron & 45

70 R D Hayes (Canada)

Canadian Environmental Policies with Respect to Energy from Waste and Landfills

David Hay 4 9 (Canada) fc>O

Energy from Waste in Ontario Patricia Bolton 53 (Canada)

Jean Lavergne 6 4 (Canada) ~~~~~~~

A Perspective of MSW Energy Recovery in Quebec

77

88

99

100

1 0 1

1 0 8

110

111

12 4

Energy from Solid Waste - Conclusions from a Study by the National Energy Administration and the National Environmental Protection Board

Stefan Cairen (Sweden)

p r a : ~ ~ b

PO Gunner Bergvall (Sweden)

Outline of Swedish Environmental Policies with Respect to Energy from Waste Plants and Landfills

PROCEEDINGS OF WORKING GROUPS

GROUP l(a) . PHYSICAL PROCESSING OF MSW

Physical Processing of MSW - The UK Situation J R Barton (UK) . .

GROUP l (a ) . Discussion

GROUP l(b). THERMAL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES

Status and Opportunities for Thermochemical Processing of Refuse in the UK

A V Bridgwater

GROUP l ( b ) . Discussion

(vi)

Paue

11.3 GROUP 2. BASIC COMBUSTION AND RELATED RESEARCH 12’5

1 2 6 Studies Towards Validated Sampling of PCDDs and H Hagenmaier, PCDFs in Stack Gas M Kraft, S Marklund

C Rame (Sweden) poo kl

156 Mechanisms of PCDD/PCDF Formation Frank Karasek pc7oc() (Canada)

Analytical Chemistry Requirements for Waste M G Kibblewhite Derived Fuel and Refuse Incineration

Laboratory Studies into the Combustion of T Rampling (UK) Refuse Derived Fuel in Conventional Stokered

(UK) Poo

Boilers b

1 6 8

1 7 1

17 4 GROW 2. Discussion

17 6

177

1 1 . 4 GROUP 3 . OPERATIONAL STUDIES ON COMBUSTION PLANT

The National Incinerator Testing and Evaluation Abe Finkelstein Program (NITEP). Current Program Activities. (Canada)

S J Bur b%i Refuse Derived Fuel Combustion Trials 202

205 Warren Spring Laboratory Incinerator Emissions Programme

D W Scot

208 Development and Operational Experiences of the Gotaverken CFB Boiler for Waste Incineration ( Sweden)

Development and Demonstration of the Gotaverken Miljo Flue Gas Cleaning System

210 ( Sweden)

Kurt B Carlsson Psa

218 Removal of Acidifying Gases, Heavy Metals and Dioxins in Flue Gases from Waste to Energy Plants (Sweden)

Kjell Ni 232 Regional Waste Management with Mass Burning and Advanced Gas Cleaning (Sweden)

GROUP 3. Discussion. 244

246

247

11.5 GROUP 4 ( a ) . LANDFILL GAS AND ANAEROBIC DIGESTION

Landfill Gas Exploitation in the UK - An Update Keith Richards (UK) p o&b2/

Department of the Environment Funded Research Janet Gronow Related to the Conversion of Municipal Solid Waste to Energy - A Brief Outline

268

Is Landfill Gas Technology Sustainable as an D J V Campbell Energy Resource Option? (UK)

Anaerobic Digestion of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Wastes (UK)

Dr C B Saw

272

283

(vii)

'Research Priorities in Bioconversion of Municipal Solid Waste to Produce Chemicals, Liquid and Gaseous Fuels

Energy from Waste

The Enhanced Sanitary Landfill

A Two Stage Process for Controlled Degradation and Methanization of Municipal Waste

GROUP 4 (a) . Discussion.

11.6 GROUP 4(b). SOLID RESIDUES DISPOSAL/TREATMENT

Residues from Waste Incineration

Characterisation of Residues from Municipal Waste Incineration

GROUP 4 (b) . Discussion.

J Coombs (UK)

288

FoLtro H D T Moss (UK) 2 9 4

G P Vicevic 296 (Canada

Nils Tibe 305 (Sweden)

306

309

A M Fallman Jan Hartlen (Sweden)

Steve Sawell 20 (Canada)

32 7

DELEGATE LIST 330

(vi i i)

The papers conta ined i n t h e s e proceedings are t h o s e d e l i v e r e d a t t h e

1988 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Energy Agency Workshop on t h e Conversion of Municipal S o l i d Waste t o Energy. The views expressed i n t h e papers are

t h o s e of t h e au tho r s and no t n e c e s s a r i l y those of t h e I E A o r of t h e

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Author i ty .

Technologies for recovering energy from municipal solid waste (MSW) are

becoming increasingly established in many countries. This trend derives from

a combination of factors which include the potential for economic and environmental benefits and the increasingly held belief that MSW should be viewed more as a resource and less as simply a waste requiring disposal.

There are a number of different technology routes available fo r recovering

energy from MSW:

Extraction and utilisation of landfill gas generated by anaerobic microbial degradation of the organic fraction of landfilled MSW. can be burned to generate process o r space heat, can fuel suitably

modified gas engines or turbines in order to produce electricity, o r can

be upgraded to a higher value fuel.

The gas

Recovery of energy through mass combustion of MSW in an 'as received' state. Energy can be recovered in the form of heat (as steam),

electricity, or combined heat and electricity.

Mechanical processing of MSW to separate a fraction of higher calorific value (refuse derived fuel or RDF) .

Pyrolysis/Gasification of MSW or RDF to generate gaseous or liquid fuel

products.

Anaerobic digestion of the readily degradable fraction of MSW in a process plant environment to produce (as in an active landfill) a methane rich gas.

Within any one country, the appropriate choice of technology is intimately

linked with the overall waste and energy management decision-making process, both at local and national level. Each country has its own priorities and

this is reflected in the composition of its related R&D programmes. There are

however considerable benefits to be gained from a co-operative approach to

such R&D activities. During 1986-88, the IEA Bioenergy Agreement has provided

a vehicle for achieving such an approach. The Agreement comprises a number of

(iii)

different Tasks and Activities. One Activity during this period has been

concerned specifically with energy recovery from MSW (MSW conversion). The I

activity has been led by the Environmental Safety Centre (ESC) of Harwell Laboratory, UK, with the objective of helping to establish and organise

co-operative R&D between a number of participating countries.

participants have been Canada, the UK and Sweden, and the emphasis has been on R&D in both technical and environmental areas related to energy recovery from MSW.

The

A number of potential benefits are considered to be derived from participation

in such a programme. These include the following:

0 Each country can concentrate on its own priorities whilst at the same

t h e sharing in a wider R&D base.

0 Research workers can gain access to facilities and expertise in other countries.

0 The infrastructure is established for sharing costs (for example in

large-scale demonstration trials or longer term fundamental research) via

co-ordination of existing or planned work and/or collaboration on future

projects. Hence, individual programmes can be orientated to be mutually compatible, unnecessary duplication can be avoided and resources can be allocated more effectively.

The 1986-88 Activity has witnessed a valuable exchange of information and a forging of links between the countries involved. This has culminated in the

development of a workplan for 1989-91 (when extra countries are expected to participate) based on proposals made at a three-day workshop held in

Cambridge, UK, during June 1986. The workshop comprised key representatives of both national Government funding Departments/Agencies and research organisations in Canada, UK and Sweden (together with observers from the

United States, Norway, Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands). Each delegate

had been briefed in advance of the R&D priorities in each country and of ESC's

perception of the potential for co-operation.

to examine and criticise ESC's own ideas, add their own, and produce concrete

suggestions for co-operative programmes from which each country would benefit.

The task of the delegates was

' The workshop was characterised by an atmosphere of openness and willingness to

co-operate. Over 30 proposals emerged for co-operative programmes across the range of technology areas - physical processing of MSW, thermal processing, combustion (including control of emissions and the treatment and disposal of

combustion residues) and landfill gas/anaerobic digestion-although some were

deferred for further consideration at a later date. At a subsequent joint

meeting of Government representatives from Canada, Sweden and the UK, these

proposals were condensed (by means of prioritisation and grouping of common

issues) into a sensible framework for the development of a realistic programme for 1989-91. The challenge now for the Activity Leader is to implement the

procedures necessary to ensure the success of this programme, not only for the existing participants but also for those countries planning to join in

1989-91.

These Proceedings contain the papers presented at the workshop together with

summaries of the proposals made for co-operative ventures. Copies of the

present 1989-91 workplan itself (developed from these proposals) can be made

available to any interested party by contacting the Activity Leader at the address given below.

Finally, as the 1986/88 Activity draws to a close, we would like to express

our gratitude to all those delegates who helped make such a success of the Cambridge workshop, together with the many additional people in Canada, Sweden

and the UK who have contributed so much during the period.

Chris Dent and Andre Krol

Environmental Safety Centre*

Harwell Laboratory

DIDCOT

Oxfordshire OX11 ORA

UK

* Activity Leader, MSW Conversion Activity, Task IV IEA Bioenergy Agreement

September 1988

3cs DOE EC EFW EMR EPA EPB ESC ETSU GLC IEA MSW NEA NITEP PCDD PCDF R&D RDD RDF STP TCDD WSL

co-ordination, coherence and collaboration Department of the Environment, UK Environment Canada energy from MSW Energy, Mines and Resources (Canada) US Environmental Protection Agency National Swedish Environmental Protection Board Environmental Safety Centre, Harwell Laboratory, UK Energy Technology Support Unit (for the UK Department of Energy) Greater London Council (now abolished) International Energy Agency municipal solid waste National Energy Administration, Sweden National Incinerator Testing and Evaluation Programme (Canada) polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin polychlorinated dibenzofuran research and development research, development and demonstration refuse derived fuel standard temperature and pressure 2,3,7,8 tetra-chloro dibenzo-p-dioxin Warren Spring Laboratory

INTRODUCTION

As discussed in the Foreward, the Cambridge workshop was set up in order to

help meet the objectives of the MSW Conversion Activity of Task I V of the

1986-88 IEA Bioenegy Agreement. These objectives were stated as follows:

to help establish and oryanise co-operative research and development between

the participating countries in the area of municipal sol id waste conversion

with errmphasis on the recovery of energy and materials from municipal and

industrial wastes and with due cognizance of the need to minimise

environmental impacts.

Following early discussions between the Activity Leader and the relevant

Government Departments/Agencies of the three participating countries (Canada, UK, Sweden), it was agreed that the Activity should concentrate on technical and environmental aspects of energy recovery from municipal (and to a lesser

extent, non-hazardous industrial) wastes. To assist in this, a number of

reports was subsequently produced describing related recent, current and

proposed R&D activity in each country (1,2,3,4). exchange of information between countries. A further briefing document (5)

prepared for the workshop is included as the first paper at the beginning of these Proceedings. This summarises the approach adopted in meeting the above objectives and summarises the principal findings with respect to the R&D

programmes in each of the three countries, includina the authors' sussestions

on scoPe for co-operation. This is followed by papers presented by Government

representatives of Canada, the UK and Sweden, which provide an overview of the

"climate" for development of energy from MSW technologies (and hence of

related R&D) in each country.

These enabled a valuable

The core of the workshop comprised a number of working sessions for separate groups each dealing with a different technology area:

0 physical processing of M S I ;

0 thermal processing technologies;

0 basic combustion and related research;

0 operational studies on combustion plant;

0 landfill gas and anaerobic digestion;

0 treatment and disposal of combustion residues.

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_-

Each working group consisted of key researchers and/or Government representatives from the UK, Sweden and Canada. Observers from a number of

other IEA countries (the United States, Norway, Finland, Denmark and the

Netherlands) also joined some groups. The papers presented within each

working group session are also included in these Proceedings, together with

summaries of the proposals made (over 30 in all) for co-operative ventures during a final plenary session. As discussed in the Foreword, it is these proposals which have provided the necessary input for development of a workplan for 1989-91.

1.

2 .

3 .

4 .

5.

Dent C G and Krol A A (1988) Municipal Solid Waste Conversion to Energy: A Summary of Current Research

and Development Activity in Canada. AERE Report, R12946, available through HMSO, London.

Dent C G, Krol A A and Emberton J R (1988) Municipal Solid Waste Conversion to Energy: A Summary of Current Research and Development Activity in the United Kingdom.

AERE Report, R12947, available through HMSO, London.

Krol A A and Dent C G (1987) Municipal Solid Waste Conversion to Energy: A Summary of Current Research

and Development Activity in Sweden.

AERE Report, R12696, available through HMSO, London.

Krol A A and Dent C G (Eds) (1988)* Municipal Solid Waste Conversion to Energy: The Reseach Programme of

Sweden's National Energy Administration.

Swedish NEA Report, No 1987-05-01). AERE Report R13115.

(A Translation into English of

Krol A A and Dent CG (1988)

Municipal Solid Waste Conversion to Energy: The Potential for

Co-operative Research and Development Between the UK, Sweden and Canada.

AERE Report R12948.

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IEA R#IRKsBOP ON RESEARCH REWLTED TO CONVERSION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WLSTE TO ENERGY

, 27-29 JUNE 1988, FITZWILLIAM COLLEGJZ, CAMBRIDGE, UZVIT.ED KIN-

PROGRAMME

" D A Y 2 7 JUNE

(CHAIRPERSON: Alan Fletcher, Harwell Environmental Safety Centre)

0900 0910 0930

1000

1030

1055

1120

1145

1200

1330

1355

1420

1440

1500

1515

1540

1605

1630

1645

1710

(1710- 1730)

Welcome by Alan Fletcher. Introduction by Don Stevens (Task IV Operating Agent). Outline of the aims and structure of the workshop and round table introduction of delegates (Chris Dent, Harwell) . Break . Summary of the "climate" for energy from waste schemes in the UK, Sweden and Canada and the respective research and development emphases (Chris Dent, Harwell) . Outline of the national energy from waste R&D programme of the UK (Adam Brown, UK Energy Technology Support Unit). Outline of UK environmental policies with respect to energy from MSW plants and landfill (Tony Smith, UK Department of Environment).

Discussion.

Lunch

Canadian overview of energy from waste (Doug Hayes, Energy Mines and Resources Canada). Canadian environmental policies with respect to Energy-from-Waste and Landfill (David Hay, Environment Canada). Outline of the R&D programmes of Canadian Provincial Governments i) Ontario (Patricia Bolton, Ontario Ministry of Energy). ii) Quebec (Jean Lavergne, Quebec Ministry of the Environment).

Discussion

Break.

Outline of national energy from waste R&D programme of Sweden (Stefan Cairen, Swedish National Energy Administration). Outline of Swedish environmental policies with respect to energy from waste plants and landfill (Gunnar Bergvall, Sweden Environment Protection Board).

Discussion.

Presentation of the ideas of the Environmental Safety Centre for co-operative R&D between the UK, Sweden and Canada and remainder of the workshop structure for the next day (Andre Krol, Harwell). Day one ends.

Briefing meeting for chairperson and rapporteur of each working group.

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TUESDAY 28 JVNE

0900 Introduction to the aims of the working groups (Chris Dent, Harwell,).

0910 Workshop splits into four primary working groups, each located in a different room. Participants in each group give a brief (15 minute) presentation which will act as a springboard for discussion. Briefing notes are available for each working group. The groups are as follows:

(a) PHYSICAL PROCESSING OF MSW AND (b) THERMAL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES (PYROLYSIS/LIQUEFACTION/GASIFICATION) . To include technologies for manufacture of all grades of RDF, pre-processing of MSW prior to conventional grate combustion, and research into thermal processing technologies.

(a) Chairperson/spokesperson: John Barton (UK)

(b) Chairperson/spokesperson: Erik Rensfelt (S) Rapporteur: Kjell Nilsson (S)

Rapporteur: Tony Bridgwater (UK)

BASIC COMBUSTION AND RELATED RESEARCH. To include chemical reaction and fluid dynamics and analytical problems. Thus laboratory and modelling research on trace constituents of environmental concern (e.g. dioxins/furans, mercury) and fundamental aspects of the burning process for MSW/RDF will be topics of discussion.

Chairperson/spokesperson: Christopher Rappe (S) Rapporteur: Mike Woodfield (UK)

OPERATIONAL STUDIES ON COMBUSTION PLANT. To include consideration of MSW/RDF combusters and flue gas treatment systems. Both operational problems (e.9. corrosion, fouling, control) and plant evaluation/optimisation will be covered.

Chairperson/spokesperson: Abe Finkelstein (C) Rapporteur: Mike Landy (UK)

(a) LANDFILL GAS, ANAEROBIC DIGESTION AND (b) SOLID RESIDUES DISPOSAL/TREATMENT. Gas generation, extraction and utilisation will be covered at both the fundamental and operational level. Topics connected with the disposal/treatment of solid residues from combustion processes/flue gas treatment are included because of environmental concerns in this area.

(a) Chairperson/spokesperson : Keith Richards (UK) Rapporteur: Glenn Vicevic (C)

(b) Chairperson/spokesperson: Steve Sawell (C) Rapporteur: Jan Hartlen (S)

The groups consist key researchers (and representatives of government funding organisations) in the relevant areas from the UK, Canada and Sweden. Other workshop delegates may attend as observers but (other than technical experts) are requested to play a relatively inactive role. The tasks for the groups during Tuesday and the first part of Wednesday morning are as follows :

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( 4 )

Presentation of a brief (15 min) summary of recent, current and proposed work by individual researchers.

To discuss in detail the R&D being undertaken by each country and the scope for mutually beneficial co-operative programmes.

To outline the terms of reference of potential co-operative R&D projects/programmes and to comment on how these might be practically organised.

Briefing of the spokesperson for the group who will give a brief presentation of the findings to plenary session of the workshop on Wednesday afternoon (day 3).

A separate room, overhead and slide projectors and coffee/tea (1030,1515) will be provided for each group. Details will be announced at the workshop.

1200- Working groups split into 3 individual country groups (UK, Sweden and 1230 Canada) to discuss progress. A meeting will be arranged between

representatives from observer nations (Chair: Don Stevens, Task IV Operating Agent).

1300 Lunch.

1400 Working groups reconvene.

1630 End of day two.

"ESDAAY 29 JUNE

(CHAIRPERSON: Don Stevens, Task IV Operating Agent).

0900 Working groups reconvene to finalise their findings and brief their spokesperson.

1100 Break.

1130 Individual country group sessions to discuss findings from national perspectives. Meeting of observers (Chair: Don Stevens).

1230 Lunch.

1345 A 15 minute presentation by each of the 6 working group spokespersons followed by discussion.

1525 Comment by representative from UK (Energy Technology Support Unit). 1535 Comment by representative from Sweden (National Energy

1545 Comment by representative from Canada (Energy Mines and Resources). 1600 Workshop closed by Don Stevens (Operating Agent, Task IV).

TEURSDAY 30 JUNE

Meeting hosted by ETSU at Harwell. Representatives of ETSU, NEA, EMR, DOE, EPB, EC and ESC discuss findings of workshop and the way in which any co-operation should be organised.

Administration) .

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PROCEEDINGS OF

THE FIRST DAY

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