Small Scale Waste Incineration

Basics

• This page aims to look at the application of Waste Incineration in the context of a scale similar to Burn Barrels BUT with thought taken to various potential forms of pollution, and ways to prevent/alleviate this.

Reasons for Doing So

• Disposal of Non-Recyclable Materials (In Areas where Large Scale Processes aren't used for this, just Landfilling) Such As:
  • Thermosets
  • Foams like Expanded Polystyrene etc
  • Hard to shred films (Although Plastic Film Recycling can be done with the right workflow)
  • Multilayer Films / Mixed Packaging Waste
• Privacy/Security ( "Burn Bags" )
  • So Important Documents, Expired Checks/Debit Cards etc
  • Although Shredding and/or Pulping are substitutes to an extent, the issue of local accessibility is another potential justification for small scale waste incineration

Potential Pollution Routes

Unburnt Hydrocarbons/Carbon Monoxide/DPM type soot

• This is the most straightforward, and the main solution is enough air and heat in the fire
• Granted Flame Temperature Emissions Curve ranges need to be taken into account (to an extent more heat = more NOx , less heat means more CO etc)
• Between the small scale+frequency though (compared to Mass Motorization or Grid Scale powerplants etc) this isn't too major of an issue

Dioxins

• Unlike CO and Hydrocarbons, Dioxins still do pose an issue as they Bioaccumulate
• How dioxins form, how to minimize this, and how to potentially scrub them from emissions needs to be investigated
  • A TLUD with Charcoal above and below the RDF may be able to trap the dioxins?

Heavy Metals / Misc Elemental Pollutants

• This is largely an issue of pre-sorting the waste
• Undyed Paper and Plastics shouldn't have this issue at all
  • Investigating what dyes may contain pollutants that could concentrate in the Bottom Ash etc is something to look in, especially if Ash Utilization is planned
• Magnetic Strips from Debit Cards and so on may have odd materials in them, granted 1 card per "batch" done every few months or so isn't too significant, needs to be looked into though

Fly Ash Bourne Particulate Matter

• This cannot be "burned up" unlike Diesel Particulate Matter / Soot type particulate emissions
• Given scale and frequency shouldn't be TOO huge of an issue, but more dedicated devices could address this with a rudimentary ESP unit etc

Existing Design Evaluation

Open Burning

• Worst Case Scenario, especially if in a pit (so air cannot enter from the sides unlike if done on a flat surface)

Pan Style Outdoor Fireplace

• Similar to Open Burning albeit with potentially different thermal characteristics (Better conduction or insulation than soil depending on material used (metal vs ceramic etc)
• Core Temperature:
• Flame Temperature:

"Paint Can"

Unventilated

• Core Temperature:
• Flame Temperature:

Natural Air Induction

• IE Holes Drilled in the Bottom and/or Sides for airflow, but no fans or blowers used
• Core Temperature:
• Flame Temperature:

Forced Air Induction

• Core Temperature:
• Flame Temperature:

55 Gallon Burn Barrel

Unventilated

• Core Temperature:
• Flame Temperature:

Natural Air Induction

• IE Holes Drilled in the Bottom and/or Sides for airflow, but no fans or blowers used
• Core Temperature:
• Flame Temperature:

Forced Air Induction

• Core Temperature:
• Flame Temperature:

External Links

• A Whitepaper by " Sustainable Sanitation and Water Management 2020" Titled "Incineration (Small-Scale) Factsheet"
  • The 55 Gallon Barrel Based Mobile Incinerator by Mavi Deniz Mentioned
    • Seems like it is barrel based forced air with a secondary combustion zone?