Use of Non-Hazardous Solid Waste as Alternative Fuels in Cement Manufacturing Process

Abstract

The incineration of non-hazardous solid waste and its use as alternative fuel in cement manufacturing process was studied and simulated under the effect of air flow acceleration in a laboratory scale reactor. Firstly, analysis of the different waste materials (textile, wood and paper) was performed separately, showing that textile samples presented the highest levels of heavy metals (H.M). In the course of a test run using solid recovered fuel (SRF), the mass balance of heavy metals revealed that lead and chromium probably volatilized during firing while arsenic, cadmium and zinc were trapped in clinker. As to gaseous emissions, heavy metals concentration in the stack remained relatively low and below the standard limits. Secondly, the temperature and concentration of gases flue was monitored. It was shown that the combustion regime is characterized by low reaction temperatures and an oxygen-deficient environment. Air injection rate affected significantly the formation and degradation mechanisms of the emitted gases concentrations, particularly CO, CO2, NO, NOx, SO2. Textile waste exhibited the lowest concentration of emitted gases compared to the other types of waste.